Migrants: Developing proper policies in Europe for ensuring health

In recent decades, Europe has changed from a net provider of migrants to a net receiver. This has created an urgent need for national policies which ensure health care and promotion of both citizens and migrants. Countries have fully signed up to human rights legislation and have worked together with bodies such as the Council of Europe to be clear what should be provided in terms of health and access to health care. Yet most countries are struggling to develop clear and fair national policies which balance the needs of both citizens and immigrants. This presentation will outline the position as regards the UK and will mention also some of the approaches being used in other European countries. Information will also be provided about the funded projects under way, demonstrating a clear need for much more evidence on which to build policies. The talk will conclude with a plea for public health to be more aware of what is happening and more sensitive to the needs of the changing ethnic mix of their countries.