Migration to and within Europe poses particular issues related to ensuring equitable access to healthcare. Throughout this course, you will gain insight into the root causes and types of migration, the current evidence and state of data in the region, examples of good practice, and how migration health can be studied and new evidence generated and translated into policy and practice.
The course is specifically aimed at public health practitioners, researchers and policymakers, however, healthcare providers and educators may also find the course very useful.
This course - co-developed with policy, academic, clinical and humanitarian actors - is strongly and uniquely positioned to give you the needed skills and knowledge to build a bridge between research and practice. The course was created with the University of Milan in collaboration with the Lancet Migration European hub and support from the 4EU+ Alliance. This course was based on the Series on Addressing Migration and Health Inequity in Europe published in May 2024 in the Lancet European Health Region.
The learning objectives of this MOOC are fourfold:
1. To understand the typology of migration and forced displacement to and within Europe and the potential effects on health
2. To be aware of the systemic barriers to accessing health services and healthcare facing refugee and migrant populations in Europe
3. To identify good practices for promoting health and access to health services and healthcare for refugee and migrant populations
4. To explain and analyse the ethical challenges surrounding evidence generation for refugee and migrant health
We hope that this course will change your perspectives and improve your knowledge and, ultimately, make your work more evidence-based and equitable for migrants, refugees and other displaced populations.
Enjoy!
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction to Migration and the Context in Europe
- In this first module, we dive right into the root causes of migration to and within Europe, asking who, why, and where. We will explore patterns of transitions taken by people on the move and how they impact people's health. Together, we will round the module up by examining key terminologies around migration, going beyond their definitions to discuss their role in shaping how people perceive the challenges and potential solutions around migration, health, and equity.
- State of health and healthcare provision in Europe
- In this module, our focus is on the status quo of the health risks and the health service delivery that refugees and migrants face in Europe. We are guided by the question: "What do we know about the health of refugees and migrants in Europe?" Building on up-to-date evidence, we explore the key health risks that migrants face and how their impacts shape differences in their health outcomes compared to host populations. This journey will lead us to understand the variability in healthcare provision across Europe and the importance of universal health coverage (UHC) and evidence-based guidelines. Finally, we will walk through where and how to find migrant health data and zoom in on its limitations and existing gaps.
- Barriers to health services and healthcare
- In this module, we will explore common barriers that migrants, refugees and other displaced populations experience in Europe when it comes to their health. Together we will break these down into distinct categories to better understand the various types of barriers that impact health outcomes and health service utilization. We will deep-dive into some of the most impactful examples of barriers, including the role of European and international legislation and policies, of discrimination, racism, and xenophobia, and of people's health (system) literacy. This module will sharpen our understanding of the existing gaps in Europe which is essential before progressing to our next module on how to best address them.
- Good practices for improving and studying migrant health in Europe
- In this fourth module, we shift gears by moving from analysing existing challenges to exploring potential solutions towards migration and health equity for all. We will start from exploring the fundamentals of migrant-sensitive and culturally-appropriate care. These themes are then put into practice by following several good practice examples which were selected from a range of actors and contexts in Europe. Through this module, you will not only take away practical tools to addressing these challenges but also - hopefully - an inspiring sense of what is possible when different actors come together to work towards a common goal.
- Research, evidence, and better science
- In this final module, our focus shifts forward to actionable evidence-based practice and policies. Together, we will consider the role of data and research in informing all our actions as practitioners, policymakers, or researchers. We will explore some of the notable initiatives and data platforms. Finally, we will explore ways to translate evidence into practice, including through the use of participatory research methods. Throughout this module, we tie together the content and skills covered in this MOOC and provide a positive outlook to the future.
Taught by
Karl Blanchet, Rosemary James, Chiara Ragni, and Bernadette Nirmal Kumar
