Premium
Addressing the challenges to skin health of refugees and migrants in the WHO European region
Author(s) -
Bartovic Jozef,
Padovese Valeska,
Pahlman Kari
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.13552
Subject(s) - refugee , environmental health , medicine , health care , political science , geography , law
The prevalence of dermatological disease and skin conditions is a significant issue facing refugees and migrants in the WHO European Region. Displaced populations in particular are vulnerable to dermatological diseases, due to the often poor conditions in which they live and transit through at different stages of their journey. Exposure to adverse weather conditions and heightened risk for injuries and violence are also potential causes for skin conditions and abnormalities. Through a review of published literature focusing on refugee and migrant health, this paper outlines the prevalence of skin conditions and dermatological diseases among these populations, and the impact of migration and displacement on susceptibility for them. It then discusses some of the challenges associated with managing skin conditions and highlights key opportunities to strengthen the integration of skin health within health care for migrants and refugees in the WHO European Region.