Migrant Health - Public Health Research Paper Sample

Migrant Health

The World Health Organization approximates that the international migrant population is set to hit the 400 million mark by the year 2050 (World Health Organization 2010). Currently, international migrants approximately number 214 million. The number of migrants differs from one region to another with the US and the UK registering a higher number of immigrants from numerous countries. Migrants include refugees, circular migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and irregular immigrants. In whichever country the migrants flee, they often transcend geographical drawback and in many cases face considerable challenges in accessing political rights in addition to mandatory social health services. According to WHO, migrants entering the United States often arrive healthily and even in good shape than the native populace. However, health concerns, complications, issues often start rising immediately after their arrival and are majorly attributed to changes in weather patterns, new food, different environment, and the bodies psychological and physiological adjustment and adapting to the new environment. According to the WHO (2010), migrant health is an important issue within the health sector. It contributes a lot to the overall countries well-being, affecting health matters such as the introduction of communicable diseases to the local populace, a significant impact on the countrys health sector economically, and the decline or increase of health issues such as health behavior. For example, legislations and policies affecting migrant groupings often have a greater impact on the general accessibility of health care services.

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According to Holmes (2012), a migrant may or may not enjoy a full entitlement to free healthcare within the country. For instance, immigrants who are not lawful occupants have no access and are not allowed access to health services. Due to the sensitive nature of health complications and treatment in addition to controlling the spread of new diseases, migrant health forms an important aspect of the country's goal of controlling and treating communicable diseases such as Flu, Ebola, Hepatitis, and measles among other diseases (Holmes 2012). Often new migrants into the country have a higher likelihood of having these diseases and if not treated and cared for may pose a threat to the native residents of the host country.

It is thus vital to have a proper understanding of the health position of migrants either already in the country of seeking entry. Knowledge of possible communicable disease is important as it puts the health sector in a position to enact policies and measures to address any likelihood of spread, treatment, and control of the disease. Additionally, understating the health status of migrants is also important as it gives a general bearing on some of the likely diseases and complications the world is grumbling with as one given time. For example, WHO (2010), reports that during the Ebola crisis, the United States health sector was able and at a position to enact policies that aimed at further clinical research on the disease, treatment, and cure. Understanding the nature and clinical attributes of a new disease amongst immigrants forms a critical point in helping curb illness and save lives of millions who could have been put at risk. On the other hand, understating migrant health issues and concerns opens an opportunity for the country to prepare and put in place health care measures aimed at improving the locals, health status while seeking for treatment options and further scientific research on the same. At the same time, the immigrants also have an opportunity to learn and understand their home country's health status by analyzing their medical condition from the host country's perspective. It thus forms an essential factor in understanding the nature of communicable diseases such as flu and measles. At the same time, it enables the government together with the health sector to understand and know how much budget should be allocated in dealing with immigration issues as pertains to their health problems (World Health Organization 2010).

Migrant health forms a fundamental element in keeping individuals, both the immigrants and host nationals healthy. The primary aim of health policies and actions entail keeping diseases at bay and helping people live comfortable lives by accessing medical services. Without enacting due diligence and care in managing migrant health issues, the country may find itself in a challenging situation when faced with a complicated health problem (Holmes 2012). For example, understanding and undertaking in-depth research on communicable diseases such as Ebola may pose a serious health challenge if not addressed adequately. Despite not forming part of the country's health problem, it is important to find a solution to a global health crisis of such nature as it will go a long way in saving lives globally and controlling further spread. For instance, when the United States Health Sector together with research institutions embarked on researching, monitor and curbing further spread of Ebola, many people have been saved, and the disease has been brought down in many countries (World Health Organization 2010). Finding a solution to migrant health is thus important as it gives scientists, researchers, in addition to health care providers an opportunity in learning and getting acquainted with some of the global health crisis that many countries face. It puts host countries on high alert to health threats it may face while handling refugee issues.

References

World Health Organization. (2010). Health of migrants: the way forward. Report of a global consultation, Madrid, Spain, 3-5 March 2010. Health of migrants: the way forward. Report of a global consultation, Madrid, Spain, 3-5 March 2010.

Holmes, S. M. (2012). The clinical gaze in the practice of migrant health: Mexican migrants in the United States.T Social science & medicine,T 74(6), 873-881.