A Historic Moment
The world is experiencing a migration crisis, with more than 123 million forcibly displaced people around the world—a figure that has more than doubled in the last decade and is by far the most in human history.
More than 47 million people living in the U.S. were born in another country and 22% of Americans speak a language other than English at home. This diverse population includes individuals from a wide range of cultural, linguistic, and regional backgrounds, with varying reasons for migration.
For immigrants and refugees who desperately need health care,
the stakes have never been higher.
Health challenges
Some migrants face significant health challenges due to systemic inequities, which are worsening amid political and social backlash. Anti-immigrant sentiment has increased worldwide, leading to policy and funding decisions that put them at greater risk.
Organizations supporting migrants struggle with funding cuts as demand for their services grows. There are organizations out there working with a skeletal crew of dedicated staff and shoestring budgets who are trying to help.
Climate change, conflict, and oppression will continue to drive migration regardless of policies or funding reductions. As migration continues to be our reality, it is more important than ever for organizations to use scarce resources more efficiently and effectively.
An emergency response
MHI is uniquely positioned to respond to this moment of crisis because we were born out of an emergency. MHI evolved from the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants, which was funded by the CDC in 2020 as part of the nation’s COVID-19 response.
Very quickly, we grew from an innovative idea to an organization nationally known for excellence in public health emergency preparedness and response, and in fostering partnerships that make a real difference in communities.
Why migration health?
Refugees, immigrants, and migrants are important members of our society and it is in everyone’s best interest to protect their health and well-being. Investing in migration health results in lower healthcare costs, stronger economies, and healthier communities overall.
Economy
Migrants pay taxes, support local business, and start businesses of their own. Overall they contribute more to the economy than they cost, and how we shape their health and well-being today will impact our societies for generations to come.
Community
Migrants bolster community services by providing medical care, teaching children, caring for older people, and supporting understaffed services. Hospitals, residential homes, child-care centers, and domestic and professional cleaning services are often staffed by migrants.
Health
Migrants make up a considerable portion of the health-care workforce in many high-income countries and contribute to a substantial so-called brain gain in migrant-receiving countries.
Studies have repeatedly shown that immigrants are not a public health threat to the U.S. population. Refugees in particular are by far the most vetted people who enter the United States by every measure, which includes intensive security and medical screenings.