Collection and integration of data on refugee and migrant health in the WHO European Region

Overview

Migration health data comprise information that characterizes the health and the social determinants of health of refugees and migrants. The need to enhance health information systems (HIS) and enable rigorous methodologies and capacities for collection of data on migration health across migrant groups at the national level remains challenging for most Member States of the WHO European Region. An initial barrier is that many Member States lack routine systems to collect these data and, when data are collected, the emphasis is often on infectious diseases. In addition, some national HIS are fragmented and collect data on different, often noncomparable, variables and indicators, which limits data sharing and access across governmental entities at national and global levels.