ISSUES IN MIGRANTS HEALTH
En-route health problems
Migrants who are en route to a new location may encounter additional health risks such as heat or cold stress, dehydration, and exposure to disease, when crossing borders or traveling within a country. Migrants are more vulnerable while on the move, which may cause increased incidences of trafficking and exploitation; All of the health care problems found in the general population are found in migrant groups. Some, however, occur more frequently. These include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. Tuberculosis deserves special mention in mobile populations. Below, an overview on the health issues for migrants:Organic
- - Cancer
- - Diabetes
- - HIV/AIDs
- - Immunizations
- - Hepatitis
- - Tuberculosis
- - Toxic exposures
Non organic
- - Behavioural Health and psychological items
- - Women's Health
- - Children's Health
- - Eye Care
- - Family Violence
Hygiene and Housing
Migrant housing is associated with: pesticides exposures; unsafe drinking water; crowding; substandard and unsafe heating, cooking and electrical systems; inadequate Hygiene ; and dilapidated structures. Emergency Care givers need to be aware of these additional health and well-being risks for migrant people.Food related problems and risks
Migrants may face added food insecurity due to lack of access to transportation, food storage, and cooking facilities. It is estimated that more than half of farmworker households are food insecure. Several studies estimate that more than half of farmworker house-holds are food insecure.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change disproportionately affects the poor more than other populations. Outdoor “PEOPLE” like migrants are particularly vulnerable.Climate change is estimated to affect the health of migrants through increased temperatures, more extreme weather, degraded air quality, and more vector borne diseases.
Migrants may have a higher risk of being exposed to these changes as a result of substandard housing (that may lack insulation and air conditioning) and outdoor work (resulting in increase in heat stress and other heat-related illnesses). They also may have fewer resources to help them adapt to the changes.
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