The World Health Organization (WHO) has established the main lines of research on the effects of climate change on the health of migrant and displaced people, with the goal of filling current gaps and moving towards policies that promote more resilient and inclusive health systems for these populations.
As detailed in the Global Action Plan and Prioritization of Research on Health, Migration, and Displacement in the Context of Climate Change, although the relationship between climate, human mobility, and health is increasingly recognized, there are still significant knowledge gaps regarding how climate-induced migration impacts health, well-being, and access to healthcare.
"Closing the gaps in research is a matter of equity. To achieve universal health coverage, strengthen climate resilience, and promote health equity, migrant and displaced populations must not be an afterthought, but rather must be part of the solution from the outset," stated the WHO's Head of Health and Migration, Santino Severoni.
The document, prepared by the WHO's Office of Health and Migration along with the WHO's Office of Climate Change, Energy, and Air Quality, identifies the lack of evidence around three major blocks: the social determinants of health, universal health coverage, and emergencies, as well as in two cross-cutting areas, health outcomes and data, and policies and interventions.
Based on this diagnosis, a global roadmap is proposed to guide research, policy design, and practice in the coming years. Among the priorities are addressing social inequalities and vulnerabilities, strengthening access to health systems and services, improving preparedness and response capacity for climate emergencies, refining migration-sensitive data systems, and expanding evidence on mental health, maternal and child health, chronic diseases, and the long-term effects of climate-related mobility.
"Climate change is already affecting the health and mobility of populations around the world. Strengthening the evidence base is essential to underpin effective policies and ensure that those most affected are protected through equitable and climate-resilient health systems," asserted the head of Climate Change, Energy and Air Quality at WHO, Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum.
The report was released at the end of July in a webinar where participants emphasized the urgency of breaking down barriers between the fields of climate, health, and migration, strengthening migration-sensitive information systems, and promoting participatory and community-focused research.
At this meeting, the need to translate scientific evidence into public policies and concrete interventions that respond to the reality of affected individuals was also defended, as well as the relevance of consolidating lasting alliances and tightening the connection between research, policy formulation, and practical application.