Migrant & Refugee Health

The WHS Academic Alliance has put Migrant and Refugee Health on the agenda of the World Health Summit since 2015. Led by Sapienza University of Rome, the Alliance has held Expert Meetings attended by participants around the world in Rome as well as online.

WHS Academic Alliance - The Lancet Regional Health Europe Commission on Health, Migration, and Climate Change: The European Context

In 2024, the WHS Academic Alliance and The Lancet launched a joint Commission on Health, Migration, and Climate Change, co-chaired by Luciano Saso and Stephen Matlin. The Commission will work through 2024 and 2025, with plans to present its findings and recommendations at the World Health Summit in 2025. See all commissioners

Climate change is the greatest health threat of the 21st century, with global impacts that drive and intensify migration. It exacerbates health risks, disrupts healthcare access, and worsens social determinants of health. Acting as a multiplier, climate change amplifies drivers of displacement such as resource scarcity, food insecurity, extreme weather, and habitat destruction. Migrants face distinct challenges, including legal uncertainties, cultural losses, and health vulnerabilities. While migration can foster resilience, framing it solely as an adaptation strategy risks restrictive policies. Addressing these interconnected issues requires a holistic approach, balancing immediate health needs with long-term integration and equity-focused strategies.

Europe is both a significant destination for migrants and a region grappling with its own climate challenges. This dual role creates a unique context for addressing the climate-migration-health nexus. European countries must manage the health needs of migrants while adapting to the accelerating impacts of climate change. The Commission will explore these issues across host and origin countries, identifying barriers, opportunities, and solutions within Europe’s institutional frameworks.

Thematic focus areas of the commission:

Global context: health, migration, and climate change (WHO-led).
Climate change impacts on migration patterns to and within Europe.
Health needs of migrants in Europe amidst climate change.
European responses using a social determinants of health approach.

2024 | Digital

Webinar: How can we improve access to care in Afghanistan?
January 15, Sapienza University of Rome, Emergency, and CRIMEDIM
Program and speakers

2023 | Digital

Webinar: From generating evidence to implementing medical care: how to improve the health of migrants and refugees?
June 23, Sapienza University of Rome & Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
Program and speakers

2022 | Digital

Webinar: Health of Children on the Move
February 28, Sapienza University of Rome and Lancet Migration
Session recording
Program and speakers

2021 | Digital

Webinar: How Climate Change affects the Health of Migrants and Refugees
November 30, Sapienza University of Rome
Session recording
Program and speakers

Webinar: The Need for Integration of Migration Health Aspects in the Education of Health Professionals
September 7, Sapienza University of Rome and UNICA
Session recording
Program and speakers

Webinar: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Migration
June 18, Sapienza University of Rome, HEARD and CRESPPA
Session recording
Program and speakers

Webinar: How Can Strengthened Healthcare for Migrants Foster Health for All
May 27, Sapienza University of Rome and Emergency
Session recording
Program and speakers

Webinar: Digital Solutions for Migrant and Refugee Health
April 19, Sapienza University of Rome and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Session recording
Program and speakers

Webinar: Ensuring the COVID-19 Vaccine Reaches Undocumented Migrants
March 30, Sapienza University of Rome and PICUM
Session recording
Program and speakers

Webinar: Migrant Health Issues in Massive Migration Areas in the COVID Period
February 22, Sapienza University of Rome and Association of Academic Health Centers International AAHCI
Session recording
Program and speakers

Webinar: The Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant and Refugee Health
January 28, Sapienza University of Rome and The Lancet Commission Migration and Health
Session recording
Program and speakers
Presentations

2019 | Rome

WHS Academic Alliance Expert Meeting Migrant and Refugee Health
June 7, Sapienza University of Rome
Program and speakers

2018 | Rome

WHS Academic Alliance Expert Meeting Migrant and Refugee Health
June 15-16, Sapienza University of Rome
Program and speakers

2017 | Rome

WHS Academic Alliance Expert Meeting on Migrants and Refugee Health
June 23-24, Sapienza University of Rome
Program and speakers

World Health Summit 2024

Workshop Navigating the Nexus of Climate Change, Health and Migration: Program and speakers

World Health Summit 2023

Workshop Digital Technologies and Youth Health Promotion in Forced Migration Settings: Program and speakers

World Health Summit 2021

Panel Discussion Migrant and Refugee Health - The Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant and Refugee Health: Program and speakers

World Health Summit 2019

Panel Discussion Protecting the Mental Health of Refugees and Migrants: Program and speakers

World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2018 - Coimbra, Portugal

Session Migration and Health: Speakers and summary

World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2018 - Portugal, Coimbra

World Health Summit 2016

Keynote Session Migration and Refugee Health - From Care to Policy: Program and speakers
Workshop Tuberculosis and Migration: Program and speakers
Workshop Migration, Cultures and Health: Program and speakers