Improving migrant health worldwide

"Migration is the movement of people away from their usual place of residence to a new place of residence, either across an international border or within a State" (IOM).

As of 2024, the global number of international migrants has surpassed 300 million (UN) and more than 120 million people have been forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, violence, human rights violations, and events that disturb public order (UNHCR). Migrants include international migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, environmental migrants, and undocumented migrants. Canada welcomes more than 400,000 permanent residents each year (IRCC) and has responded to humanitarian emergencies with the rapid resettlement of 44,620 Syrian refugees, more than 1,400 Yazidi survivors of Daesh, and 55,195 Afghan refugees (IRCC).

Many displaced people live in climate-vulnerable regions, where climate events destroy health systems and further strain livelihoods. Extreme weather events drive displacement, while slow-onset events diminish resources, threaten livelihoods, and amplify conflict. Migration cannot be holistically addressed without a comprehensive understanding of climate change and its ever-growing risks.

Limited access to food, water, sanitation, and essential services make migrants vulnerable to communicable and non-communicable diseases. Upon arrival, migrants face barriers including language, health literacy, system navigation, inadequate coverage, limited finances, and discrimination among healthcare providers (WHO).