Migrants' health risks need more attention, expert says (Feature)

By Sinikka Tarvainen Mar 10, 2010, 5:04 GMT

Madrid - Immigrants are often seen as potential disease transmitters, but the reality is that they themselves face the biggest health risks, says Jacqueline Weekers, an expert on migrant health with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The migrants who are most vulnerable to health problems include undocumented immigrants and those fleeing disasters, Weekers said in a telephone interview with the German Press Agency dpa.

There are approximately 214 million international and 740 million internal migrants worldwide, according to WHO figures.

'Different groups of migrants have different vulnerability levels' to health problems, said Weekers, a senior migrant health officer for WHO's Health Action in Crises network.

The most vulnerable groups include migrants in irregular situations, such as victims of trafficking, who often suffer exploitation and physical and mental abuse.

They and other undocumented migrants, as well as those whose residence permits expire, frequently lack access to public health and social services, Weekers says.

'Living in poverty and marginal situations involve big health risks for these migrants,' she said.

'Even if they have access to health services, they may not know where to go or do not dare to go there for fear of being arrested and deported.'

The other group particularly vulnerable to health problems is people fleeing wars, natural disasters or human rights violations, according to Weekers.

'They often have to leave their homes in a hurry, may have to walk for days or face other hardships, and have little time to prepare themselves for a situation of emigration,' she explained.

Some migrants belong to both risk groups, such as African undocumented immigrants who cross over to Spain on overcrowded vessels, suffering hunger, dehydration, exposure and the risk of drowning. If they do make it to Europe, they may find themselves living in poverty and without access to social services.

Immigrants with residence permits and jobs are often healthier, but may face the less visible problem of psychological stress.

'Migrants can live in great isolation, with language problems and social barriers, separated from their families for long periods,' Weekers said.

The 'complex' mental health issues affecting migrants have not received enough attention so far, according to the expert.

'We do not know as much about these problems as we need to know. We mainly just have isolated studies that have been done in some countries,' she noted.

The physical diseases of migrants have received more attention, partly because of the public perception of foreigners as potential disease carriers. But, there is no reason to 'stigmatize' migrants in this way, Weekers said.

'The strongest among a country's residents tend to be the ones to emigrate. Many migrants are young and healthy people who only begin facing health problems if they remain in a marginal situation for a longer period,' she said.

Migrants can sometimes have diseases that are unfamiliar to local health professionals, who may find it difficult to diagnose, Weekers said.

In 2008, the WHO's World Health Assembly endorsed a resolution asking governments to promote migrant health, a resolution that Weekers described as a 'milestone.'

The resolution contained action points that are being implemented, though there is a need for a more harmonized and coordinated effort, she said.

'Harmonizing policies,' Weekers said, 'means connecting migrants' countries of origin, transit and destination.'