The health of migrants is included as a cross-cutting priority on various global platforms including the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, which focuses on investment in the healthcare component of immigrant integration and the 70th World Health Assembly Resolution ‘Promoting the health of refugees and migrants’, which includes the development of a Global Action Plan, promoting Universal Health Coverage and the inclusion of migrant populations in migration-sensitive health systems.
Malaria is the fifth leading cause of death by communicable disease worldwide. In 2018 alone malaria caused an estimated 405,000 deaths resulting from 228 million cases. Factors relating to migrants’ living, working and transit conditions increase their likelihood of contracting malaria. As such it is important to understand migrant mobility patterns and associated malaria risk factors to protect the health of migrant and host communities and improve migration outcomes.
Due to the complex interplay between migration and malaria, a multi-sectoral approach to malaria control and elimination is necessary. Dialogue both within and between countries to share best practices, and coordination between civil society, health, labor, immigration, social services, transportation, environment, and private sectors is critical if effective migrant- inclusive policies are to be developed