International Dialogue on Migration No. 6

The Seminar on Health and Migration was initiated in recognition of the need to assess the public health implications of increasingly mobile populations, and to integrate health policies into migration management strategies. This seminar was held in Geneva from 9 to 11 June 2004 with the co-sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It brought together health and migration officials from around the globe to exchange views on migration health policy concerns, perspectives and experiences. This publication details the broad range of issues discussed during the seminar. Panels of experts encouraged debate on topics such as the use of pre-departure health assessments, the need to address the mental health of migrants, healthcare access for irregular migrants, and the migration of healthcare workers. The records of the discussions contained in the following chapters set out the main challenges and areas for policy reform, such as the need for programme support, local capacity building, information-sharing and communication of best practices.