Migration is a reality of the 21st century, but many transit and host countries are failing to assume their responsibilities and are denying refugees and migrants their rights and the necessary measures of protection and integration. Likewise, for a long time insufficient attention has been paid to the topic of prevention and access to healthcare for migrant populations, and shortages in medical care are rife. In spite of the existence of international agreements and treaties, and the World Health Organisation recently adopting an action plan for refugees and migrants to receive equal opportunities in healthcare, many issues and key challenges remain. The articles in our MMS Bulletin give an insight into this complex topic. (Photo: Irak/ © Ibrahim Malla/IFRC)

Inequity is one of the strongest drivers of poor health within a population. Health equity resonates with the SDGs’ overarching principle of leaving no one behind and the implicit moral imperative of achieving social justice. Health inequities are systematic differences in the health status of different population groups related to, for example, poverty, disability, race, class and gender. These inequities have significant social and economic costs both to individuals and to population groups as a whole and are judged to be avoidable, unfair and unjust. (World Health Organisation: Health Equity)