International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 14, Issue 2, 2017

Building responsive health systems to help communities affected by migration: An international delphi consensus (Article) (Open Access)

Pottie K.* , Hui C. , Rahman P. , Ingleby D. , Akl E.A. , Russell G. , Ling L. , Wickramage K. , Mosca D. , Brindis C.D.
  • a Department of Family Medicine & Epidemiology, Department of Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, 1 Stewart Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada, Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Ave, Annex E-208, Ottawa, ON K1R 6M1, Canada
  • b Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
  • c Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Ave, Annex E-208, Ottawa, ON K1R 6M1, Canada
  • d Centre for Social Science and Global Health, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, Amsterdam, 1018 WV, Netherlands
  • e Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, 11-0236, Lebanon
  • f School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, Notting Hill Campus, Bldg 1, 270 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, VIC 3168, Australia
  • g Center for Migrant Health Policy, San Yat-sen University School of Public Health, No.74 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510000, China
  • h Migration Health Division, International Organization for Migration, 17, Route des Morillons, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland
  • i Migration Health Division, International Organization for Migration, 17, Route des Morillons, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland
  • j Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States

Abstract

Persons affected by migration require health systems that are responsive and adaptable to the needs of both disadvantaged migrants and non-migrant populations. The objective of this study is to support health systems for populations affected by migration. Materials and Methods: An international Delphi consensus process was used to identify policy approaches to improve health systems for populations affected by migration. Participants were leading migrant health experts from Americas, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australasia. We calculated average ranking scores and qualitatively analyzed open-ended questions. Results: Participants identified the following key areas as priorities for policy development: health inequities, system discrimination, migrant related health data, disadvantaged migrant sub-groups, and considerations for disadvantaged non-migrant populations. Highly ranked items to improve health systems were: Health Equity Impact Assessment, evidence based guidelines, and the International Organization for Migration annual reports. Discussion: Policy makers need tools, data and resources to address health systems challenges. Policies need to avoid preventable deaths of migrants and barriers to basic health services. © 2017 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Delphi consensus Other migrants Health systems Refugees Public health

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population health care management policy approach immigrant Australia and New Zealand refugee management health equity Europe health disparity Health Status Disparities Delphi study human Delphi Technique Middle East death consensus development Government Programs Humans policy development Western Hemisphere health services organization and management migration human experiment health care quality Prejudice Quality of Health Care government Emigration and Immigration Health Policy Delivery of Health Care policy making public health health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85012000574&doi=10.3390%2fijerph14020144&partnerID=40&md5=70749464c457fbb3b93e88ea2849e467
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14020144
ISSN: 16617827
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English