Fifteen-minute consultation: What do paediatricians need to know about child refugee and migrant health needs?

Increasing numbers of refugees have entered Europe over recent years, reflective of international crises caused by conflict in Afghanistan, Syria and the Horn of Africa. Approximately one-third are children and young people aged under 18 years, many unaccompanied. These individuals often arrive at their most vulnerable following hazardous journeys with complex healthcare needs.1 2 In 2019, more than two-thirds of the global refugee population originated from just five countries: Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar. In the same year, only 0.5% of the world’s refugees had successfully resettled elsewhere.3 By 2020, around 82.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced from their homes. Of these, 26.4 million were refugees, while 48 million were internally displaced within their country of origin. Eighty-six per cent of the world’s refugees are hosted within low-income countries. The UK is home to roughly 1% of global refugees.

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice - July 19, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Ryan, A., Kelly, A. Tags: Public health Source Type: research