Every year on 18 December, International Migrants Day is recognized to advocate for migrants’ rights, including their right to health. WHO/Europe marks International Migrants Day by joining the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in its call to support people in finding safety and opportunity by ensuring access to health services throughout their migration journeys.
The health dimensions of migration include ways in which human mobility affects physical and mental well-being, access to health services and continuity of care across borders, as well as whether health systems respond in inclusive and equitable ways. Protecting migrants’ health is essential for collective development, social cohesion and resilient health systems, and it is fundamental to achieving universal health coverage.
Migration is a long-standing part of human history, shaped by people moving for varied reasons and along diverse routes
An estimated 94.1 million international migrants live in the European Region, which means that nearly 1 in 8 people is a migrant. People move in search of safety, opportunity, education or family, often facing health risks along the way – from disrupted continuity of care and occupational hazards to mental health stressors. Ensuring access to quality, continuous and people-centred health services at every stage of the migration journey is therefore a public health priority.
Migrants play an essential role in strengthening health systems
Migrants make an invaluable economic and cultural contribution to the countries where they live. Many migrants are doctors, nurses and other health professionals who contribute directly to service delivery, innovation and workforce sustainability. Their skills, knowledge and lived experiences demonstrate how mobility – when supported by inclusive health policies – can advance both population health and development outcomes.
Ensuring universal health coverage requires removing the barriers that continue to prevent migrants from accessing timely and quality care
Many migrants face legal and administrative restrictions, language and cultural barriers, limited continuity of care and reduced access to preventive services. Addressing these obstacles is critical to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that no one is left behind.
“Healthy societies are built when everyone has the opportunity to be healthy,” said Corinne Capuano, Director of Programme Management at WHO/Europe. “Health systems that are accessible to migrants not only protect individual well-being, but also strengthen equity, resilience and sustainable development for all.”
Through collaboration with Member States and partners – including IOM and the European Union – WHO/Europe supports countries in building migrant-inclusive health systems, strengthening health workforce capacity and ensuring continuity of care from arrival to long-term integration.
Regional action plan – ensuring that migrants’ right to health is met
Many governments and partners worldwide are working within and across countries to adopt strategies, policies and plans to address migration-related challenges and to improve the health and well-being of migrants.
In October 2023, countries adopted the Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health in the WHO European Region 2023–2030 at the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.
The Action Plan identifies 5 strategic priorities (action pillars):
- ensure that refugees and migrants benefit from universal health coverage;
- implement inclusive emergency and disaster risk reduction policies and actions;
- develop inclusive environments that promote public health, social inclusion and well-being;
- strengthen migration health governance and evidence- and data-driven policy-making; and
- explore innovative ways of working and developing enabling partnerships.
The first progress report on the Action Plan was presented at this year’s Regional Committee session. Of the 3 0 Member States that responded to the survey, 25 reported that their national health policy, legislation, strategy or plan included a component on refugees and migrants. Thirteen reported that access to health services for all migrant subgroups was not equal to that of host populations. At the same time, 15 Member States reported that they had health services or programmes tailored to refugees and migrants during public health emergencies.
As well, WHO/Europe engages in tripartite collaboration with the WHO regional offices for Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean to strategize and coordinate equitable access to health care across migration routes straddling all 3 regions.
WHO’s global work
WHO assists countries globally, including in the European Region, in reorienting health systems towards including refugees and migrants in primary health care as a foundation of universal health coverage. This involves providing inclusive and integrated health services to meet people’s health needs throughout their lives; addressing the root causes behind poor health outcomes, including critical non-medical factors, such as education, income, employment and working conditions, and social support networks, through policy and action that go beyond the health sector; and empowering individuals, families and communities to take charge of their health.
WHO supports Member States by setting norms and standards on the health of refugees and migrants, co-developing guidance and tools and promoting global, regional and national research agendas for evidence-informed policy-making and interventions.
In 2023, the Global research agenda on health, migration and displacement, led by WHO’s Department of Health and Migration, set out research themes to be addressed by 2028. It aims to strengthen global collaboration on health and migration research and improve the translation of knowledge into policy and practice, driving evidence-informed research that addresses the evolving challenges and health needs of refugees and migrants.