Chapitre III - UNITAR

care for policy reasons that include the implications for publicly funded
health services and do not provide access to public services to persons who
are not authorized to enter or stay. But the consequences of lack of access to
health care can be highly problematic for individuals and communities alike.
There is great international demand for health care workers in light of ageing
populations in much of the developed world. Coupled with great disparities
of wages and working conditions, there is an increasing outflow of health care
workers from the developing to the developed world, with implications for
the health care systems of both.
Well-managed migration health can lead to higher levels of individual and
public health through targeted preventative, preparatory and curative measures.
Greater awareness can also lead to better planned health resources globally,
and facilitate needed investment in training and preparing adequate
numbers and types of healthcare providers for the health care needs of today
and tomorrow. Cooperation between governments and with other relevant
stakeholders is key to realizing the positive potential for migration health and
global public health.
Effective practices with regard to migration health:
Promotion of awareness of the links between migration and health
and, in particular, the challenges and opportunities of migration for
national and global public health.
Recognition of the particular policy challenges posed by migrants in
an irregular situation, including the impact on national health care systems,
their greater vulnerability to stigmatization and discrimination,
and the heightened health risks for victims of trafficking.
Consideration of the link between migration and health in national
migration policies and programmes, including consideration of the
human rights and public health aspects.
Facilitation and promotion of cooperation among States, international
organizations and relevant stakeholders to address the public health
challenges posed by international migration.
Strengthening collaboration between States, in particular countries of
origin and destination, on migrants’ health issues including sharing of
information, data, technical expertise and materials while addressing
concerns about the migrant’s right to privacy.
Promotion of the access for migrants to national health systems,
including, insofar as possible, migrants in an irregular situation.
Migration Health
Chapter 3
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