International dialogue on migration no. 6: health and migration: bridging the gap

This paper is based on the Seminar on Health and Migration held in 2004 to assess the public health implications of increasingly mobile populations, and to integrate health policies into migration management strategies.

The Seminar focused on the public health implications of increasingly mobile populations. In addition to exploring general migration health challenges it examined specific subpopulations, including irregular and returning migrants, migrants in conflict situations, migrants with HIV/AIDS, and migrating healthcare workers.

The paper details the debate on topics such as the use of pre-departure health assessments, the need to address the mental health of migrants, healthcare access for irregular migrants, and the migration of healthcare workers. It also identifies the main challenges and areas for policy reform, such as the need for programme support, local capacity building, information-sharing and communication of best practices.

The following key issues, concerns and challenges involved in constructing comprehensive migration policies were highlighted:

• the close link between migration and health and the increasing need for a global approach to public health management. In particular, the seminar examined relations between population mobility and public health in the context of existing national and international migration and health policies
• the prospects of taking an inclusive approach towards creating comprehensive policies, understanding health, and servicing all migrant populations
• the need for partnerships in various areas of migration management including programme support and border control of communicable diseases. A separate session evaluated the complex issues associated with the migration of healthcare workers, including the impact on development and diseases burden, and proposed policy options to alleviate the situation.

[adapted from author]