This WHO report is based on an analysis of data collected from 93 countries and will serve as the foundation for the first global database aimed at monitoring progress in creating inclusive health systems for migrants.
The report emphasizes that migration throughout human history has contributed to cultural, social, and economic progress. Currently, more than one billion people, equivalent to one in every eight inhabitants of the planet, are in a status of migrants or refugees. The main reasons for migration include conflicts, natural disasters, the pursuit of education, job opportunities, or family reunification.
However, many migrants face serious challenges in accessing healthcare, including a high risk of infectious and chronic diseases, mental health issues, and unsafe working conditions.
"Only when health systems provide access for all can we speak of true universality. The new WHO report demonstrates that an inclusive approach benefits society as a whole and strengthens readiness for future health challenges," noted a WHO representative.
The "World Report on the Health of Refugees and Migrants" highlights that states are increasingly basing their migration and health strategies on scientific data and international standards. Examples from six WHO regions showcase successful practices, such as expanding insurance coverage for migrants in Thailand, using intercultural mediators in Belgium, and involving representatives of migrant communities in decision-making processes in Chile.
However, despite overall progress, significant gaps remain. Only one-third of countries regularly collect and analyze data on the health of migrants within their information systems. Less than half of them consider refugees and migrants in their emergency preparedness plans.
Training for healthcare workers aimed at understanding cultural differences is still insufficient, and information campaigns to combat misinformation and bias are conducted in only a few countries. Access to healthcare services remains uneven: refugees are more likely to receive medical care, while internally displaced persons, labor migrants, and foreign students face restrictions. The participation of refugees and migrants in healthcare governance remains low.
The organization offers the following recommendations:
- integrate refugees and migrants into national strategies;
- improve data collection and analysis;
- strengthen intersectoral cooperation;
- adapt approaches to the needs of different migrant groups;
- expand migrant involvement in planning and management and combat misinformation.
