15 November 2006

 

Health Protection Agency’s first Migrant Health Report; a new resource for travel health practitioners

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) published its first report on the health of migrants on 15 November 2006 Migrant health: infectious diseases in non-UK born populations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The report has been produced by collaboration between departments throughout the Agency, and the project has been led by its Travel and Migrant Health Section, a partner with the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).  The report provides background information on migration to the UK and the general health needs of migrants, in addition to data on infectious diseases. It aims to be a useful resource for health professionals, and will be of interest to travel health practitioners since it highlights the infectious disease risks faced by migrants returning home to visit friends and relatives.

At the time of the last census (2001) 7.5% of people living in the UK were born abroad. In 2004, however, 70% of the newly diagnosed tuberculosis and HIV cases reported in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and 70% of malaria cases reported in the UK were in individuals born outside the UK. This disproportionate burden of infection in some non-UK born populations is in large part related to the higher prevalence of infection in the countries from which they originate, and many infections are probably acquired prior to migration. Migrants are also at ongoing risk of infectious diseases after arrival, either as a result of exposure in the UK or through travel to visit family and friends in their countries of origin. Travel health practitioners have an important role to play in ensuring that people returning to their country of origin are adequately prepared to protect themselves and their families from infectious disease risks. The report recognises, however, that people travelling back to visit friends and relatives may not seek health advice before their trip, and recommends that innovative ways for health services to engage with this group should be further developed.

The HPA will be taking this work forward with relevant partners, including NaTHNaC, to identify the most effective public health response to the burden of disease experienced by migrants.

The report can be accessed online at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/publications/2006/migrant_health/

default.htm or is available as a hard copy by emailing the HPA publications department at: publications@hpa.org.uk.