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Impact of enhanced health interventions for United States–bound refugees: Evaluating best practices in migration health

With an unprecedented number of displaced persons worldwide, strategies for improving the health of migrating populations are critical. United States–bound refugees undergo a required overseas medical examination to identify inadmissible conditions (e.g., tuberculosis) 2–6 months before resettlement, but it is limited in scope and may miss important, preventable infectious, chronic, or nutritional causes of morbidity. We sought to evaluate the feasibility and health impact of diagnosis and management of such conditions before travel.

Evaluation of the Field Performance of ImmunoCard STAT!® Rapid Diagnostic Test for Rotavirus in Dadaab Refugee Camp and at the Kenya–Somalia Border

Rotavirus commonly causes diarrhea in children, leading to hospitalization and even death. Rapid diagnostic tests are feasible alternatives for determining rotavirus outbreaks in refugee camps that have inadequate laboratory capacity. We evaluated the field performance of ImmunoCard STAT!® Rotavirus (ICS-RV) in Dadaab Refugee Camp and at the Kenya–Somalia border. From May to December 2014, we prospectively enrolled children aged < 5 years hospitalized with acute diarrhea, defined as ≥ 3 episodes of loose stool in 24 hours for < 7 days.

Migration Health – Annual Review 2015

This report illustrates IOM’s health activities in 2015 and presents key achievements in the three main migration health programme areas: (a) migration health assessments and travel health assistance; (b) health promotion and assistance for migrants; and (c) migration health assistance for crisis-affected populations. The report also highlights emerging themes in migration and health – work on advancing the unfinished agenda of migrant health for the benefit of all; and advancing the global health security agenda.

Migration Health – Report of IOM Activities 2011

This report illustrates IOM’s health activities in 2011. Key achievements in three main programmatic areas are presented: Migration Health Assessments and Travel Health Assistance; Health Promotion and Assistance for Migrants; and Migration Health Assistance for Crisis-Affected Populations. The report also highlights three emerging themes in migration and health, namely, non-communicable diseases and the link with migration; migration as a social determinant of health; and IOM health and psychosocial response during the crisis in Libya.