PLoS Medicine
(Accessed 29 May 2011)
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/browse.action?field=date

Migration and Health: A Framework for 21st Century Policy-Making
Cathy Zimmerman, Ligia Kiss, Mazeda Hossain Policy Forum, published 24 May 2011
doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001034

Summary Points
– Migration is a global phenomenon that influences the health of individuals and populations.

– Policy-making on migration and health is conducted within sector silos that frequently have different goals. Population mobility is wholly compatible with health-promoting strategies for migrants if decision-makers coordinate across borders and policy sectors.

– Policies to protect migrant and public health will be most effective if they address the multiple phases of the migratory process, including pre-departure, travel, destination, interception, and return. Health intervention opportunities exist at each stage.

– This article forms the introduction to a PLoS Medicine series on Migration & Health, laying out a new framework for understanding the migratory process and the five phases of migration, which are discussed in depth in five subsequent articles.