World Report on the Health of Refugees and Migrants (WHO, 2022)

The World Health Organization has published the World report on the health of refugees and migrants (20 July 2022), providing a comprehensive overview of global challenges and opportunities in addressing the health needs of mobile populations.

Worldwide, more people are on the move than ever before, yet refugees and migrants often experience poorer health outcomes compared to host populations. Addressing these disparities is a global health priority and a fundamental component of the right to health.

The report highlights that health outcomes are shaped by multiple determinants. Refugees and migrants face additional challenges, including precarious legal status, discrimination, and social, cultural, linguistic, administrative, and financial barriers. Limited access to information, low health literacy, and fear of detention or deportation further restrict access to healthcare services.

This publication outlines key opportunities and strategic actions to improve the health and well-being of refugees and migrants. It serves as an important advocacy tool for national and international policymakers working at the intersection of health and migration.

The report also emphasizes that evidence on refugee and migrant health remains fragmented, underscoring the urgent need for comparable data across countries to monitor progress toward the health-related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Full report available here:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240054462