The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume 16, Issue 8, 2016, Pages e173-e177

Pathogens, prejudice, and politics: the role of the global health community in the European refugee crisis (Review)

Khan M.S. , Osei-Kofi A. , Omar A. , Kirkbride H. , Kessel A. , Abbara A. , Heymann D. , Zumla A. , Dar O.*
  • a Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • b Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
  • c Chatham House, Centre on Global Health Security, London, United Kingdom
  • d Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
  • e Communicable Diseases Policy Research Group, London, United Kingdom
  • f Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
  • g Public Health England, London, United Kingdom, Chatham House, Centre on Global Health Security, London, United Kingdom
  • h Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London (UCL) and National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
  • i Public Health England, London, United Kingdom, Chatham House, Centre on Global Health Security, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Involuntary migration is a crucially important global challenge from an economic, social, and public health perspective. The number of displaced people reached an unprecedented level in 2015, at a total of 60 million worldwide, with more than 1 million crossing into Europe in the past year alone. Migrants and refugees are often perceived to carry a higher load of infectious diseases, despite no systematic association. We propose three important contributions that the global health community can make to help address infectious disease risks and global health inequalities worldwide, with a particular focus on the refugee crisis in Europe. First, policy decisions should be based on a sound evidence base regarding health risks and burdens to health systems, rather than prejudice or unfounded fears. Second, for incoming refugees, we must focus on building inclusive, cost-effective health services to promote collective health security. Finally, alongside protracted conflicts, widening of health and socioeconomic inequalities between high-income and lower-income countries should be acknowledged as major drivers for the global refugee crisis, and fully considered in planning long-term solutions. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Needs Assessment bloodborne bacterium Blood-Borne Pathogens refugee lowest income group pathogenesis Europe European Population Dynamics human risk assessment Refugees Ethnic Groups health service ethnic group priority journal water borne disease procedures Humans psychology tuberculosis food poisoning Review communicable disease control socioeconomics organization and management infection control communicable disease migration health care access Prejudice global health politics world health organization Emigration and Immigration Transients and Migrants vaccination Healthcare Disparities health care disparity highest income group public health non communicable disease cost effectiveness analysis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84990033514&doi=10.1016%2fS1473-3099%2816%2930134-7&partnerID=40&md5=8f543f680616370e45416a6c289089e0
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(16)30134-7
ISSN: 14733099
Cited by: 33
Original Language: English