Encouraging progress in inclusive health policies for refugees and migrants

The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting a major shift in the way countries respond to the health needs of refugees and migrants, with new data showing that more than 60 countries – two-thirds of those surveyed – now include them in their national health policies and laws.

Drawing on data from 93 Member States, the report establishes the first global baseline for tracking progress towards inclusive, migrant-responsive health systems.

Human migration is a key feature of our shared history, driving cultural, social and economic development across generations. Today, more than 1 billion people – more than 1 in 8 in the world – live as refugees or migrants.

Reasons for relocation vary from conflicts and disasters to economic opportunities, education or family needs. However, many refugees and migrants face barriers to accessing care, increased risks of infectious and chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and unsafe living or working conditions.

“Refugees and migrants are not only recipients of care, they are also health workers, caregivers and community leaders,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “Health systems are only truly universal when they serve everyone. A new WHO report on the health of migrants and refugees shows that inclusion benefits entire societies and strengthens preparedness for future health challenges.”

Investing in the health of refugees and migrants brings far-reaching dividends. They support better social and economic integration, strengthen the resilience of health systems and strengthen global health security. Inclusive health systems that are responsive to migrants also reduce long-term costs by enabling healthy, well-integrated populations to contribute fully to the societies in which they live.

New “World report on promoting the health of refugees and migrants: monitoring the progress of the WHO global action plan” shows that even in politically sensitive contexts, countries increasingly rely on evidence, data, science and established norms and standards to guide how migration and health are addressed within national health systems.

Case studies from all six WHO regions show how progress can be made in practice – from expanded health insurance coverage for migrants in Thailand, to the use of intercultural communication mediators in Belgium and the inclusion of representatives of migrant communities in decision-making about the provision of primary health care in Chile.

Gaps remain

Despite the progress, the report highlights the shortcomings that exist:

• only 37% of responding countries routinely collect, analyze and disseminate migration-related health data as part of national health information systems;
• only 42% include refugees and migrants in emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction or response plans;
• less than 40% report training health workers for culturally sensitive care for refugees and migrants;
• only 30% implemented communication campaigns to combat misperceptions and discrimination regarding the health of refugees and migrants;
• access remains uneven: while refugees are generally more likely to access health services, irregular migrants, internally displaced persons, migrant workers and international students are far less consistently covered; and
• participation in governance is limited: refugees and migrants remain underrepresented in health governance and decision-making processes in most countries.

The way forward

WHO welcomes the progress made and calls on governments, partners and donors to accelerate progress by:

• inclusion of refugees and migrants in all national health policies, strategies and plans;
• strengthening the collection and use of routine, disaggregated health data on migration for planning and accountability;
• coordination among sectors including health, housing, education, employment and social protection;
• adapting strategies to the special needs of different subgroups of migrants, including those in irregular situations;
• meaningful inclusion of refugees and migrants in planning, management and design and provision of services;
• training health workers to provide equitable, culturally sensitive care;
• countering misinformation and discrimination through evidence-based action; and
• protection and expansion of funding to ensure progress for all.

WHO will continue to support Member States to turn commitments into action by strengthening evidence, promoting culturally sensitive care and integrating refugees and migrants into resilient national health systems. At the global, regional and country levels, WHO will also continue to work closely with partners, including the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Bank to advance coordinated rights-based approaches to refugee and migrant health.

The IOM has become the first international organization to join the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN), a digital public infrastructure hosted by WHO that enables cross-country verification of health documents. The new collaboration is expected to further enhance efforts to help migrants secure access to verifiable health records wherever they go, supporting continuity of care across borders.

Becoming the first international organization to join the GDHCN, IOM highlights WHO’s leadership role in leading the public health aspects of refugee and migrant health and in fostering reliable, interoperable digital health systems that protect and empower people globally.