Health in the context of migration and forced displacement

Overview

On 19 September 2016, the UN General Assembly hosted a high-level summit to address large movements of refugees and migrants. It was the first time the General Assembly had called for a summit of Heads of State and Government on this topic. It was a historic event, which produced the blueprint for a better international response to this growing phenomenon, with a more humane and well-coordinated approach. World leaders adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants which articulates a political commitment to protecting the rights of refugees and migrants, to save lives and share responsibility for large movements on a global scale.

The links between human mobility, health and migration management are unequivocally important when considering universal health coverage (UHC), global health security, public health, human rights, gender, equity, and human and sustainable development. Unprecedented migration flows and globalization have brought new challenges to addressing the health needs of migrants and refugees, particularly when part of large population movements, which require innovative solutions and new partnerships. Both migrants and refugees have human rights which should be respected, protected and fulfilled, and the right to health has been well stipulated within the WHO Constitution since 1948.