A report released on Monday (January 21st) by the WHO Regional Office for Europe on the health of refugees and migrants in Europe reported that migrants and refugees may be at risk during their journey and while staying in the host countries due to the poor conditions and new lifestyle adjustments.
"Today, the political and social systems are struggling to rise to the challenge level, in order to meet the refugees and migrants in a humane and positive way. This report is the first of its kind. In fact, giving us an overview of the health of refugees and migrants in the European Region of the World Health Organization, at a time when the phenomenon of migration is expanding across the world.”, Stated Dr. Susanna Jacob, the WHO Regional Director for Europe.
According to the report, the international migrants constitute only 10% (90.7 million) of the total population in the European Region of the World Health Organization, less than 7.4% of these are refugees.
While communicable diseases are usually associated with migration, the report indicates that there is a growing awareness that a group of heavy and chronic cases also require attention, adding that refugees and migrants are less at risk of all cancers except for cervical cancer. Thus, most of the time cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, among refugees and migrants, which may lead to far worse health outcomes than those of the host population.
The report confirmed that depression and anxiety affect refugees and migrants more than the host population, indicating that refugees and migrants have higher mortality rates than their host counterparts, in relation to diabetes-related deaths and its prevalence, with high rates among women.
The report also shows that refugees and migrants are more likely to be at risk of infectious diseases due to the lack of health care, and the poor living conditions during migration. Thus, it is necessary to protect them and ensure that the health workers are aware of the risks.
The report also notes that the unaccompanied minors are subject to sexual exploitation and suffer from higher rates of depression and symptoms of stress disorders.
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