Public Health Reports
Volume 112, Issue 5, 1997, Pages 396-402

Is compulsory overseas medical screening of migrants justifiable? (Review)

Weekers J.* , Siem H.
  • a Intl. Organization for Migration, Medical Services, Switzerland, Intl. Organization for Migration, Medical Services, 17 Route des Morillons, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
  • b Medical Services, Intl. Organization for Migration, World Health Organization, Switzerland

Abstract

FOR MORE THAN four decades the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been providing medical screening of prospective migrants according to the admission requirements of resettlement countries. The main reason resettlement countries impose mandatory medical screening is to prevent the entrance of migrants with certain health problems in the belief that they pose a potential public health risk or financial burden to the nation. High rates of communicable diseases among foreign-born residents of industrial countries have raised concern about the impact of international migration on transmission of such diseases and the role and efficacy of medical screening. IOM's experience provides insight into the complex and sensitive problems related to mandatory screening of migrant populations, including: conflicting objectives, epidemiological concerns, uncertain economic benefit and ethical dilemmas. Medically sound screening mechanisms must be formulated that meet the needs of receiving countries while responding to the epidemiology of disease, the rights of individuals, and the public health concerns of the community.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant medical examination Communicable Diseases economic aspect Ethics, Medical medical ethics priority journal health status human rights United States Humans preventive health service Review communicable disease control disease transmission communicable disease Emigration and Immigration health care system Physical Examination

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0030851163&partnerID=40&md5=4cc3f10ddce5d38bebd920bd574746b9

ISSN: 00333549
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English