Publications Search

Promoting the health of refugees and migrants: experiences from around the world

This publication is a compendium of 49 country examples highlighting efforts in improving refugees’ and migrants’ health following the adoption of the WHO Global Action Plan on Promoting the health of refugees and migrants at the seventy-second World Health Assembly, in May 2019.

Produced by the WHO Health and Migration Programme based on voluntary submissions from Member States and partners, the report showcases how different countries – with varying health systems and different…

Addressing the Health challenges in immigration detention, and alternatives to detention: A country implementation guide

This country implementation guide outlines current evidence, knowledge and best practices relating to the health and health challenges of refugees and migrants in immigration detention, as well as alternatives to detention. It highlights key principles and international commitments, summarizes the current status and health challenges and provides practical considerations for addressing the health challenges of refugees and migrants in immigration detention, as well as the implementation of…

Strengthening COVID-19 vaccine demand and uptake in refugees and migrants: An operational guide to support all those responsible for planning and implementing the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine to refugees and migrants at national and local levels

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities in certain populations, which may include refugees and migrants. These populations may face a range of individual, social, and practical or logistical barriers to uptake of COVID-19 vaccines that contribute to shaping their vaccination behaviours. To date these populations have shown lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination uptake in the few countries where this has been measured. WHO recommends that vaccine prioritization within…

Migration Health Research Bulletin, Issue No. 22

The issue of the Bulletin features studies, reports, and book chapters on topics relevant to migration and health such as disability, infectious and non-communicable diseases, mental health, border management, and human trafficking.

The audio podcast episode discusses the challenges in accessing health care and social services faced by trafficked persons in Moldova as well as the importance and utility of IOM’s health border and mobility management framework.

The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus in Health

Worldwide, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) works to operationalize the humanitarian-development-peace nexus (HDPN) by strengthening collaboration and coherence between humanitarian, development and peace actors, Member States, beneficiaries and other partners. Peace is a fundamental prerequisite for good health, and poor access to health and other basic social services is both a driver and consequence of conflict and displacement. As such, health-related programming has…

Migration Health 2020 Impact Overview

This report is an annual overview of activities led and implemented by the Migration Health Division of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in 2020, in partnership with Member States, United Nations agencies and other partners in the international community, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, meet the operational challenges and advance understanding of migration health, encourage socioeconomic development through migration, and work towards ensuring respect of the human…

Understanding health inequities among transiting migrants within the Middle East and North African (MENA) region through strengthening data systems

The editorial argues that failure to integrate migration variables within the health information systems in many countries in the MENA region means that, to date, there has been an absence of comprehensive and disaggregated epidemiological data on infectious disease prevalence (including COVID-19), outbreaks, and vaccine coverage, making it difficult to map health disparities and inform evidence-based policy and service delivery.

Leave No Migrant Behind: The 2030 Agenda and Data Disaggregation

Executive Summary

In order to leave no one behind, migrants must be considered across efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as these seek to realize the human rights of all without discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and often exacerbated inequalities around the world, reminding us how important it is for policy to be inclusive of all population subgroups, including migrants.

Meanwhile, migrants are also key actors in sustainable…

Migration Health Research Bulletin, Issue No. 19

This issue of the Bulletin features peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, reports, and commentaries focusing on some of IOM’s migration health programmes such as mental health and psychosocial support, vaccination, tuberculosis screening, and public health emergency management.

Two interviews are included in the current episode of the audio podcast: one on the vaccination programme for US-bound refugees globally and the other on migration health governance in Africa.

Casting Light on an Underserved Population: Evidence Review of HIV Among Migrants in the EU/EEA

Abstract
HIV epidemics in the EU/EEA (European Union/European Economic Area ) are increasingly diverse in terms of transmission modes and people affected. This systematic search and review synthesize the evidence on vulnerable migrants living in this region (including but not limited to people with irregular status).  Review findings show that many migrants carry a higher HIV burden than the general population.  Of concern are high proportions of post-migration HIV acquisition…