Exploring the relationship between international migration, social vulnerability and health

Abstract

Objective: To analyze, from a conceptual and evidence-based perspective, the relationship between international migration, social vulnerability and health. Methods: Critical review of theoretical and empirical-scientific literature available today, around the concepts of international migration, social vulnerability and health. Results: The relationship between international migration, social vulnerability and health is dynamic, difficult to predict, multifactorial and poorly studied in the Latin American region. Furthermore, there are high degrees of uncertainty regarding the reasons, forms, and consequences of migrating for an individual and family, their communities, the country of origin and the country that receives them. This has direct and profound consequences on the health outcomes of a population, and in turn, on the public health policy decisions of each locality. The evidence available on this issue affects multiple parties: decision makers in health policies, education, vulnerable groups and human rights, among others; and it is of interest to academic, research, clinical and theoretical professionals of any discipline of the medical and social sciences. Main conclusions: Migration has consequences in international relations, economic productive capacity of a country, inequality, demographic variations, among others. Social vulnerability needs to be reviewed and refined, based on the experiences already documented linked to the migration process and in particular in relation to health, both in access and use of services and in health outcomes and possible unjust and preventable gaps with respect to locals.