"The health needs of refugees and migrants are often neglected or unaddressed in the countries they pass through or settle in."
- Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeseus
WHO Director General
Credits: World Health Organization (WHO)
Health Crisis Among Refugees And Migrants Worldwide
Credits: Cochrane Mental Health
"Unfortunately, most refugees and survivors of forced displacement do not receive needed mental health care due to scarcity of services, lack of access to qualified care, and stigma against mental disorders."
-Dr. Suzan Song, MD, MPH, Ph.D.
Humanitarian Child & Adult Psychiatrist
Immigrant And Refugee Mental Health
Factors Contributing To Migrants' Poor Access To Healthcare
Financial Hardships
No Health Insurance
Language Barrier
Lack Of Education
Less Awareness About Their Health Issues
Risk factors for mental health problems may be experienced during all phases of the displacement and migratory process and in settling in the host country.
Prevalence of PTSD among refugees who have been exposed to very stressful and threatening experiences is indicated to be higher than in the host populations.
Prevalence of depression and anxiety tends to be higher than in host populations but variation by migrant group and in the methods used to assess prevalence makes it hard to draw firm conclusions.
Poor socioeconomic conditions, such as unemployment or isolation, are associated with increased rates of depression in refugees after resettlement.
Key Points
The Strategy and Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health outlines nine strategic areas and five indicators to monitor its implementation.
Strategies Suggested By WHO
ImmiHealth connects migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers to health education and resources and decreases their medical costs, ultimately improving their experience navigating healthcare in foreign countries like the United States.