Mental health articles

migrant health services Role of Migrant Health When related to the context of migration, the definition of health as given by theWHO translates into the physical, mental and social well-being of mobile populations as well as the communities affected by migration.Wellmanaged migrant health, including public health, not only promotes the well-being of everyone involved. The
International Organization for Migration (IOM) argues that it can also promote inclusion and understanding, thus facilitating the integration of migrants within communities,which, in turn, contributes to stable societies
and enhanced development.
Historical Dimension of Migrant Health

The scope and patterns of migratory movements have
never been static, and neither have the links and interdependencies
between migration and health. They are evolving with the same complexity that characterizes migration. Core issues relating to migration
and health/illness today have a historic dimension and show a distinct continuity. An example of a concern that is centuries old and still causes worries today is the alleged importation of disease by migrants. During the
plague epidemic in Europe in the 14th century, it was
already acknowledged that human health and disease
could be affected by migration. Formal systems of quarantine
to hinder the flow of infectious disease through travel have existed for a long time and predate immigration laws. Today, the general populations
in target countries of immigration still worry about
health problems such as epidemics being imported by
migrants. Numerically, this is a small problem; furthermore,
transmission is often restricted to the migrant populations ( migrants, infectious diseases). International travel for the purpose of business and tourism is farmore common, and it carries a risk of disease spread,
as the example of SARS shows.
In many industrialized countries of Western Europe,
migrant health was for a long time restricted to keeping
migrant workers sufficiently healthy so they could continue
to work. It was expected that they would return to their countries of origin when ill or growing old.
It is a relatively recent insight that migrant workers stay longer than initially expected. For example, they raise families in the host countries and in consequence often decide to remain there when getting old or chronically
ill ( migrants, aging). Health services in many countries took a long time to improve access to health services for migrants, and a lot remains to be done
( migrants, access to health care). Concern has been raised that unless more attention is paid to the health and health care of migrants, they will remain socially secluded in many settings and not be able to benefit
from the right to health due to every human being (the human rights perspective to migrant health).

As a consequence of the insights described above, a number of international and national legal instruments have been developed that set out the operational guidelines and structures for bodies concerned with health aspects of migrationmanagement. Some of these instruments (listed below) apply to people or workers in general, but it is important that they apply to mobile populations as well.
List of legal instruments setting out guidelines for bodies concerned with health aspects of migration:

• Since its formation in 1919, the International Labour Organization (ILO) recognizes the need to improve working conditions for both national and foreign workers.
• WHO constitution: the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without
distinction of race, religion and political belief, economic or social condition.
• 1948: The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights put forth all elementary human rights, including the right to health.
• The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 recognizes “the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health”
for every human being and specifies steps to be taken to achieve this.
• In its 1977 Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers, the Council of Europe refers to medical assistance for migrant workers.
• 1994: Programme of Action of International Conference
on Population and Development (Cairo Conference or ICPD) urged governments to provide migrants and refugees with access to adequate health services.
• 1999: Final document proposing key actions for further
implementation of Programme of Action of Cairo Conference urged governments in both countries of origin and of destination to provide effective
protection for migrants and basic health and social
services. Adequate international support to meet the
basic needs of refugee populations including adequate
accommodation, education, protection from
violence, health services and basic social services
such as clean water, sanitation and nutrition was also called for.

• 2002: The Second United Nations World Assembly on Aging in Madrid adopted an international plan of action calling for the integration of older migrants with their new communities by assisting them to sustain
economic and health security.

Tags: Health, migrant health