Integration of migrant and refugee data in health information systems in Europe: advancing evidence, policy and practice

Bozorgmehr, Kayvan; McKee, Martin; Azzopardi-Muscat, Natasha; Bartovic, Jozef; Campos-Matos, Ines; Gerganova, Tsvetelina-Ivanova; Hannigan, Ailish; Janković, Jelena; Kállayová, Daniela; Kaplan, Josiah; Kayi, Ilker; Kondilis, Elias; Lundberg, Lene; Mata, Isabel de la; Medarević, Aleksandar; Suvada, Jozef; Wickramage, Kolitha; Puthoopparambil, Soorej Jose

doi:10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100744

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 104 publications

(138 reference statements)

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“…The situation is exacerbated by the limited attention paid to information systems on the health of refugees and migrants. Strengthening health information systems is a key priority within the global research agenda on health, migration and displacement and remains an issue for many countries across the globe [ 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An updated scoping review of migrant health research in Ireland

Cronin,

Hannigan,

Ibrahim

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Background One in five people living in Ireland is a migrant. Understanding the distinctive health needs of this diverse population is essential to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive primary care services. The aim of this review is to systematically examine changes in migrant health research in Ireland and to inform research, policy and practice in the field. Methods To update a 2017 scoping review of migrant health research in Ireland, we used Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, updates by Colquhoun and Peters and the PRISMA-ScR from the Joanna Briggs Institute to search 10 databases covering May 2017 - March 2023. Findings were analysed using the World Health Organisation Strategy and Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health 2016–2023, which identifies 9 priority strategic areas (SA). Findings were compared with the 2017 review. Results 62 papers were identified. There has been an increase in studies over time from an average of five per year in the previous review to an average of 10 per year in this review. There is growing interest in research about SA1: Collaborative action on migrant health issues and SA2: Advocacy for the right to health of refugees and migrants – evidenced by an increase of 13% in this review. Similarly to 2017, the majority of papers align with three of the nine WHO Strategic Areas; SA3: Addressing the social determinants of health (24%), SA4: Achieving public health preparedness (29%) and SA5: Strengthening health systems (26%). The volume of research on SA6: Communicable diseases (11%) and SA7: Noncommunicable diseases (19%) remains stable however research on SA8: Health screening and assessment (5%) and SA9: Improving health information and communication (2%) remains low. Conclusions The increase in the volume of research on migrant health in Ireland is notable. The analysis over time illuminates changes in the focus of research studies. Gaps in research about screening, assessment and health information warrant particular attention. It is also necessary to continue paying attention to areas of recent growth and stagnation for a balanced and comprehensive evidence base. Mobilising resources to continue this increase is needed for evidence-based policy and practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An updated scoping review of migrant health research in Ireland

Cronin,

Hannigan,

Ibrahim

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Lastly, the study shows the weakness of the health information system in collecting and generating data and indicators specific to refugees. A recent assessment of the situation of health data for migrants and refugees in European health information systems found that low political priority and complex governance challenges to be factors influencing the incompleteness and insufficiency of migrant and refugee data [64].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Establishing a sustainable financial mechanism and reducing reliance on international funding are critical to maintain the integrated health services for refugees. Integrating refugee health data in national health information systems is also important in determining the refugees' health needs and in planning and evaluating relevant health interventions and policies [64]. Exploring ways to engage refugee health workers in the health system can benefit host and refugee population especially in rural and underserved areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Syrian refugees into Lebanon’s healthcare system 2011–2022: a mixed-method study

Honein-AbouHaidar,

Bou-Karroum,

Parkinson

et al. 2024

Confl Health

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Introduction The Lebanese government estimates the number of Syrian refugees to be 1.5 million, representing 25% of the population. Refugee healthcare services have been integrated into the existing Lebanese health system. This study aims to describe the integration of Syrian refugee health services into the Lebanese national health system from 2011 to 2022, amid an ongoing economic crisis since 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This paper employs a mixed-methods approach drawing upon different data sources including: 1- document review (policies, legislation, laws, etc.); 2- semi-structured interviews with policymakers, stakeholders, and health workers; 3- focus group discussions with patients from both host and refugee populations; and 4- health systems and care seeking indicators. Results Although the demand for primary health care increased due to the Syrian refugee crisis, the provision of primary health care services was maintained. The infusion of international funding over time allowed primary health care centers to expand their resources to accommodate increased demand. The oversupply of physicians in Lebanon allowed the system to maintain a relatively high density of physicians even after the massive influx of refugees. The highly privatized, fragmented and expensive healthcare system has impeded Syrian refugees’ access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services. The economic crisis further exacerbated limits on access for both the host and refugee populations and caused tension between the two populations. Our findings showed that the funds are not channeled through the government, fragmentation across multiple financing sources and reliance on international funding. Common medications and vaccines were available in the public system for both refugee and host communities and were reported to be affordable. The economic crisis hindered both communities’ access to medications due to shortages and dramatic price increases. Conclusion Integrating refugees in national health systems is essential to achieve sustainable development goals, in particular universal health coverage. Although it can strengthen the capacity of national health systems, the integration of refugees in low-resource settings can be challenging due to existing health system arrangements (e.g., heavily privatized care, curative-oriented, high out-of-pocket, fragmentation across multiple financing sources, and system vulnerability to economic shocks).

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The power of artificial intelligence for managing pandemics: A primer for public health professionals

McKee,

Rosenbacke,

Stuckler

2024

Health Planning & Management

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Artificial intelligence (AI) applications are complex and rapidly evolving, and thus often poorly understood, but have potentially profound implications for public health. We offer a primer for public health professionals that explains some of the key concepts involved and examines how these applications might be used in the response to a future pandemic. They include early outbreak detection, predictive modelling, healthcare management, risk communication, and health surveillance. Artificial intelligence applications, especially predictive algorithms, have the ability to anticipate outbreaks by integrating diverse datasets such as social media, meteorological data, and mobile phone movement data. Artificial intelligence‐powered tools can also optimise healthcare delivery by managing the allocation of resources and reducing healthcare workers' exposure to risks. In resource distribution, they can anticipate demand and optimise logistics, while AI‐driven robots can minimise physical contact in healthcare settings. Artificial intelligence also shows promise in supporting public health decision‐making by simulating the social and economic impacts of different policy interventions. These simulations help policymakers evaluate complex scenarios such as lockdowns and resource allocation. Additionally, it can enhance public health messaging, with AI‐generated health communications shown to be more effective than human‐generated messages in some cases. However, there are risks, such as privacy concerns, biases in models, and the potential for ‘false confirmations’, where AI reinforces incorrect decisions. Despite these challenges, we argue that AI will become increasingly important in public health crises, but only if integrated thoughtfully into existing systems and processes.

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Integration of migrant and refugee data in health information systems in Europe: advancing evidence, policy and practice

Cited by 10 publications

References 104 publications

An updated scoping review of migrant health research in Ireland

An updated scoping review of migrant health research in Ireland

Integrating Syrian refugees into Lebanon’s healthcare system 2011–2022: a mixed-method study

The power of artificial intelligence for managing pandemics: A primer for public health professionals

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