‘Leaving No One Behind’: The Challenge of Reaching Migrant Populations

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss the relevance of tailored interventions to ensure that vulnerable groups, such as migrants, are covered by public health programs. Most migrants do not have access to universal health care, including preventive and protective services. Tailored interventions can play an important role in helping to promote better migrant health through improved access to health care, increased awareness, better community-based structures and positive behaviour changes. The paper identifies some of the most effective strategies for the application of tailored public health interventions for migrants. In particular, migrants are especially vulnerable during a health emergency or disease outbreak and tailored approaches can be more effective than mainstream approaches. The paper advocates for the use of tailored interventions alongside the strengthening of universal health care to improve the health of migrants.

Keywords

• public health
• migrants
• cultural competence
• universal health care
• tailored interventions
• health emergencies
• disease outbreaks