New WHO report shows 60+ countries now include refugees and migrants in health policies

The World Health Organization (WHO) says more countries are taking steps to meet the health needs of refugees and migrants. New data shows that over 60 nations — two-thirds of those surveyed — now include these groups in their national health plans and laws.

The report used information from 93 WHO member countries. It sets the first global benchmark for tracking how well health systems are serving migrants and refugees.

Human migration has always been part of history, shaping culture, society and economies. Today, more than 1 billion people — over 1 in 8 worldwide — live as refugees or migrants.

People move for many reasons, including war, natural disasters, jobs, education or family. But many refugees and migrants face obstacles to getting health care. They also have higher risks for infectious and long-term diseases, mental health problems, and unsafe living or working conditions.

“Refugees and migrants are not just recipients of care, they are also health workers, caregivers and community leaders,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Health systems are only truly universal when they serve everyone. WHO’s new report on the health of migrants and refugees shows that inclusion benefits whole societies and strengthens preparedness for future health challenges.”

Investing in refugee and migrant health brings big rewards. It helps people integrate into society and the economy, makes health systems stronger, and improves global health security. Inclusive health systems also save money in the long run by allowing healthy, well-integrated populations to contribute fully to their communities.

The new report, called “World report on promoting the health of refugees and migrants: monitoring progress on the WHO global action plan,” shows that even in politically sensitive situations, countries are increasingly using evidence, data, science and accepted standards to guide how they handle migration and health.

Examples from all six WHO regions show real progress. In Thailand, migrant health insurance coverage has expanded. Belgium uses cross-cultural communication helpers. In Chile, migrant community representatives now help make decisions about primary health care.

But gaps remain. The report highlights several key problems:

– Only 37% of countries regularly collect, study and share migration-related health data as part of their national health systems.
– Just 42% include refugees and migrants in emergency planning, disaster risk reduction or response plans.
– Fewer than 40% report training health workers in culturally sensitive care for refugees and migrants.
– Only 30% have run communication campaigns to fight false beliefs and discrimination about refugee and migrant health.
– Access to care is uneven. Refugees are more likely to get health services, but migrants in irregular situations, displaced people, migrant workers and international students are much less likely to be covered.
– Refugees and migrants are not well represented in health leadership and decision-making in most countries.

WHO welcomes the progress so far and urges governments, partners and donors to speed up efforts by:

– Including refugees and migrants in all national health policies, strategies and plans.
– Improving how migration health data is collected and used for planning and accountability.
– Working across sectors like health, housing, education, jobs and social support.
– Creating strategies that meet the specific needs of different migrant groups, including those in irregular situations.
– Involving refugees and migrants in planning, leadership and service design.
– Training health workers to provide fair, culturally sensitive care.
– Fighting misinformation and discrimination with evidence-based actions.
– Protecting and increasing funding to keep progress going for everyone.

WHO says it will keep helping countries turn promises into action by strengthening evidence, promoting culturally sensitive care, and integrating refugees and migrants into strong national health systems. At global, regional and country levels, WHO will continue working with partners such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Bank to advance coordinated, rights-based approaches.

IOM has become the first international organization to join the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN). This WHO-hosted digital system allows health documents to be verified across countries. The new partnership is expected to help migrants securely access verifiable health records wherever they go, supporting continuous care across borders.

By joining the GDHCN first, IOM highlights WHO’s leadership in managing the public health side of refugee and migrant health and in building trusted, connected digital health systems that protect and empower people around the world.