Migration and health in the European Region
WHO
Currently, approximately 10% of the population of the WHO European Region is estimated to be either migrants or refugees. Migration is a growing phenomenon, influencing the health and development of both migrant and host communities. Political and social structures need to respond to the challenges of population movement, specifically by focusing on attaining universal health coverage using the building blocks of health systems.
WHO/Europe delivers its mission by:
- supporting Member States to successfully manage and respond to public health aspects of refugee and migrant health, with a focus on increasing preparedness for a refugee and migrant influx and empowering frontline Member States and ministries of health with clear public health advice;
- identifying and filling knowledge gaps by strengthening public health knowledge on migrants and refugees; and
- developing knowledge products and policy guidance and exercising WHO’s normative function to promote migrant-inclusive and migrant-friendly health systems in Member States.
