“Health and Migration in the EU: better health for all in an inclusive society”
A European conference entitled “Health and Migration in the EU: better health for all in an inclusive society” will be held in Lisbon, hoping to offer an opportunity for an extended debate. Out of the debate, the expected outcomes are recommendations for the adoption of common policies instruments, which will contribute to make improvements in the health of migrants, and in the health of the whole population.
This initiative is based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union as proclaimed on 7 December 2000 in Nice. The EU acknowledges the rights, freedoms and principles in terms of access to social welfare (Article 34); and it also acknowledges the right to preventive care and the right to benefit from medical treatment, in agreement with the conditions established by national practices and laws. Thus it is worthwhile to specifically include the health of migrants and their access to services as the right to health corresponds to one of the fundamental human rights regardless of nationality, language, religion, sex or political alignment.
Access to health care has been recognized as a major contributor to a more appropriate inclusion of the population in a given society, including obviously migrants. The principle of universal coverage is also known to benefit the whole community. Thus it is pertinent to reflect why migrants, in their country of origin, are amongst the healthier people, however along the migratory process, their health status worsens. Migration in itself generates instability, vulnerability and stress. Also, migrants tend to come from regions characterized by poverty, poor health care systems and political instability. However, once in the country of destination, poor socio-economic conditions and low integration in the host societies are potentially harmful for their health.
The reversal of this negative situation implies creating the conditions for an effective integration; which includes the improvement of living conditions through a better access to health and a better management of public health. In this sense, the improvement of migrants’ health helps to promote economic growth and general well-being for all.
Portugal, with the organization of this conference, hopes to contribute to this ongoing debate, by providing a forum of high level discussion on the issues of health and migration, through the participation of experts and high rank policymakers, aiming at reaching consensus and making recommendations for the EU Council, which will turn into better health for all.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
- To assess the 21st century international migration moves and their impact on the EU demography and economy.
- To improve knowledge on migrants’ health status and health determinants, accounting for:
– the demographic dynamics of the migratory process and its impact
– the specific political and legal frameworks at national and international level
– the socio-economic integration of migrant families
- To identify best practices about migrants’ access to health services (health promotion, prevention and access to care), encompassing formal and informal care, as well as social and cultural activities aimed at facilitating inclusion.
- To contribute to the definition of health policies and strategies aimed at improving migrants’ integration, which could be implemented at both EU and Member States levels.