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Women, Health and Migration

Women, Health and Migration. Linda S. Williams, Ph.D. Women and Migration in the RCM Region San Salvador, El Salvador July 19, 2007. Health issues are important !. Health issues related to migration are often forgotten

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Women, Health and Migration

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  1. Women, Health and Migration Linda S. Williams, Ph.D. Women and Migration in the RCM Region San Salvador, El Salvador July 19, 2007

  2. Health issues are important ! • Health issues related to migration are often forgotten • Global Commission on International Migration, 2005 – International Migration and Health Thematic Project • Two success stories: • Binational Health Week • Health is a theme of Portugal’s presidency of the European Union, Sept 2007 meeting

  3. What do we mean by “health”? • It’s more than just physical well-being • WHO definition: “A complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

  4. Determinants of Health • Economic and social status • Social support networks • Education and literacy • Employment and working conditions • The social environment • The physical environment • Personal health practices and coping skills • Healthy child development • Biology and genetics • Health services • Gender and culture

  5. For migrants, health is also determined by: • Health prior to migration • The experience of migrating • Life after migration

  6. Migration status directly affects health: • Regular migrants (immigrants, temporary workers) • Irregular migrants (undocumented) • Refugees • Refugee claimants/asylum seekers • Smuggled women • Trafficked women

  7. Issues of special interest for women migrants • Reproductive health • Sexual abuse/violence • Children’s health

  8. Mental Health Issues • Mental and social health issues are closely linked to migration status • Mental health issues generally recognized as major issue for migrants • Separation and social isolation can negatively affect migrant women’s mental health

  9. Family Separation and Women Migrants • Who is raising the children? • The effect on family members left behind • The effect on communities • Remittances must be balanced against emotional and social losses

  10. Migration to Canada from Mexico and Central America • Refugees – 1980s and early 1990s • Immigrants – Mostly family class • Workers -Temporary and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program

  11. Canada’s Migration Health Interventions • Immigration Medical Exam – immigrants • Interim Federal Health Program – refugee claimants • Increasing attention to health issues related to migration

  12. In conclusion, health is a very complex and crucial issue: • Always include health in any policy analysis and project • It’s not just about physical health !! • Look to migrating women for help and inspiration

  13. Muchas gracias.Thank you for your kind attention. Linda_S_Williams@phac-aspc.gc.ca

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