Vulnerable Migrants Research Articles

An innovative gamification tool to enhance intercultural competence and self-efficacy among healthcare professionals caring for vulnerable migrants and refugees.

The growing number of vulnerable migrants and refugees (VMRs) in the European Union presents challenges to healthcare systems, emphasizing the need for enhanced intercultural competence training for healthcare professionals. Educational escape rooms, using gamification-based principles, may offer an innovative solution to improve these competencies. This pilot study evaluates the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of an educational escape room aimed at improving intercultural competence, self-efficacy, and knowledge among healthcare students and professionals caring for VMRs. A pre-post, single-group pilot study was conducted with 101 healthcare students and professionals, recruited through convenience sampling. Participants engaged in an educational escape room simulating a migratory crisis, designed to foster collaborative problem-solving under pressure. A newly validated questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention to measure changes in intercultural competence, self-efficacy, and knowledge. Paired t-tests were used to analyze pre-post differences, and thematic analysis explored participant feedback on the learning experience and the acceptability of the intervention. Significant improvements were observed in intercultural competence (d = 1.13, p < 0.001), self-efficacy (d = 0.38, p = 0.001), and knowledge (d = 1.19, p < 0.001). Participants reported high engagement, satisfaction, and an enhanced understanding of healthcare challenges related to VMRs. The escape room was deemed acceptable. This pilot study provides evidence of the acceptability and effectiveness of an educational escape room in enhancing intercultural competence, self-efficacy, and knowledge. Further research with larger, more rigorous studies is recommended to confirm these findings and explore scalability.

Machine learning applications in studying mental health among immigrants and racial and ethnic minorities: an exploratory scoping review

BackgroundThe use of machine learning (ML) in mental health (MH) research is increasing, especially as new, more complex data types become available to analyze. By examining the published literature, this review aims to explore the current applications of ML in MH research, with a particular focus on its use in studying diverse and vulnerable populations, including immigrants, refugees, migrants, and racial and ethnic minorities.MethodsFrom October 2022 to March 2024, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and PubMed were queried. ML-related, MH-related, and population-of-focus search terms were strung together with Boolean operators. Backward reference searching was also conducted. Included peer-reviewed studies reported using a method or application of ML in an MH context and focused on the populations of interest. We did not have date cutoffs. Publications were excluded if they were narrative or did not exclusively focus on a minority population from the respective country. Data including study context, the focus of mental healthcare, sample, data type, type of ML algorithm used, and algorithm performance were extracted from each.ResultsUltimately, 13 peer-reviewed publications were included. All the articles were published within the last 6 years, and over half of them studied populations within the US. Most reviewed studies used supervised learning to explain or predict MH outcomes. Some publications used up to 16 models to determine the best predictive power. Almost half of the included publications did not discuss their cross-validation method.ConclusionsThe included studies provide proof-of-concept for the potential use of ML algorithms to address MH concerns in these special populations, few as they may be. Our review finds that the clinical application of these models for classifying and predicting MH disorders is still under development.

Human Rights in the Context of Global Migration

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to explore human rights in the context of global migration. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to human rights in the context of global migration. Preliminary empirical review revealed that global migration is deeply intertwined with significant human rights issues that vary across different regions and migrant populations. Migrants, regardless of their reasons for moving or legal status, frequently faced exploitation, discrimination, inadequate access to essential services, and social exclusion. The study emphasized that these human rights violations were often systemic and influenced by broader socio-political and economic structures. It highlighted the pervasive nature of rights violations at multiple stages of the migration process and pointed out substantial gaps in the implementation and enforcement of international frameworks designed to protect migrants. Specific groups, such as women, children, and undocumented migrants, were identified as particularly vulnerable, necessitating tailored interventions. The study argued that protecting migrants' human rights was both a moral and pragmatic necessity for fostering inclusive societies and called for a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards this goal. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Human Rights Theory, Push- Pull Theory of Migration and Social Capital Theory may be used to anchor future studies on global migration. The study recommended further development of migration and human rights theories to account for the complexities of contemporary migration flows, suggesting interdisciplinary approaches to enhance theoretical frameworks. Practically, it underscored the need for targeted support services for vulnerable migrant groups, the creation of safe migration pathways, and the establishment of specialized services addressing their unique needs. Policy recommendations included the adoption of comprehensive national and international policies that uphold the rights of all migrants, the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, and the establishment of independent monitoring bodies. The study advocated for enhanced international cooperation to address migration challenges and suggested investing in data collection and research for informed policy-making. It also recommended promoting public awareness and education campaigns to foster inclusive attitudes towards migrants and counteract negative stereotypes, aiming to create a more just and humane global migration system.

Schutz- und Sorgepraktiken: Wie LSBT-Organisationen in Deutschland Safer Spaces für ihre Arbeit mit queeren Asylbewerber:innen und Geflüchteten adaptieren

Abstract. Since the “summer of migration” in 2015, LGBT organizations have been actively involved in migration work, particularly in creating safer spaces for queer asylum seekers and refugees. This involvement marks a shift as these organizations previously had limited engagement with queer people of color. German LGBT organizations focus on providing support, security, and community for queer asylum seekers and refugees, drawing upon the concept of safer spaces. While existing literature addresses LGBT organizations in development and the challenges faced by queer asylum seekers, there is limited research on the creation of safer spaces. Research suggests a predominant focus on spatial separation as a means of ensuring safety. This article aims to fill this research gap by exploring how German LGBT organizations are adapting and institutionalizing the concept of safer spaces. It investigates the role of spatial separation, control mechanisms, and potential essentialist and cultural biases in shaping safer spaces. The study contextualizes this within the framework of homonationalism in Germany, followed by a theoretical exploration of safer spaces and an empirical analysis of how LGBT organizations conceptualize them. Drawing on expert interviews with spokespersons of German LGBT organizations and an extensive analysis of their websites, my study shows the ways in which the LGBT organizations construct themselves as saviors of vulnerable queer asylum seekers and migrants, while constructing the non-queer asylum seekers and migrants as a threat through othering. Following the logics of these safer space concepts, spatial separation appears as the ultimate solution to offer safety to queer migrants and refugees. In contrast, I also observe alternative safer spaces offered by LGBT organizations, which, in addition to their purely protective function, also create spaces for caring practices and peer-to-peer empowerment through storytelling.

Trajectories of psychological adaptation to Chinese older internal migrants: a latent transition model

Objectives Little is known about the heterogeneity and transitions between psychological adaptation patterns in Chinese older internal migrants. This study addressed two questions: (a) Do distinct patterns of psychological adaptation exist among Chinese older internal migrants? (b) If so, what factors predict different trajectories? Method The study drew on two waves of data and involved 405 older internal migrants into Nanjing, China. First, a latent transition analysis was performed to visualize the different patterns of psychological adaptation. Second, an ecological model of resilience was used to identify the factors explaining the differences between adaptation patterns. Results Three main trajectories of psychological adaptation among Chinese older internal migrants over time were: recovery, stability and deterioration. Adaptation trajectories were associated with age, gender, length of stay, psychological resilience, self-esteem, family support, social participation, and living with a spouse. Conclusion Chinese older internal migrants undertake heterogeneous psychological adaptation trajectories, and their positive adaptation is closely associated with coping resources. Our data may provide references for the identification of vulnerable older internal migrants, as well as the making of targeted interventions.

Care-seeking strategies of migrants during the transition from a specific primary healthcare facility for uncovered individuals to common ambulatory general practice: A French qualitative study

BackgroundMigrants have complex health needs but face multiple barriers to accessing health care. In France, permanent healthcare access offices (PASSs), as specific primary health care facilities (SPHCs), provide care to people without health insurance coverage. Once these patients obtain health insurance, they are referred to common ambulatory general practice. The aim of this study was to explore migrants’ experiences and strategies for seeking common primary care after having been treated by an SPHC.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study based on grounded theory between January and April 2022. We held semi-structured interviews with migrants who had consulted a PASS. Two researchers performed an inductive analysis.ResultsWe interviewed 12 migrants aged 22 to 65 to confirm data saturation. The interviewees relied on “referents”: professional referents (to be properly treated for specific health problems), guides (to find their way through the healthcare system), or practical referents (to address practical issues such as translation, travel needs, or medical matters). Those who considered the PASS to be a referent expressed disappointment and incomprehension at the time of discharge. Referral procedures and the first encounter with common ambulatory general practice were decisive in whether the interviewees accessed and stayed in a coordinated primary care pathway. The perceived quality of care depended on a feeling of being considered and listened to. For interviewees who received first-time services from an ambulatory general practice, the way in which they were referred to and their first experience with an ambulatory GP could influence their adherence to care.ConclusionsThe conditions of transition from SPHCs to common ambulatory general practice can impact migrants’ adherence to a coordinated primary care pathway. Referral can improve these patients’ care pathways and ease the transition from a PASS to ambulatory care. Healthcare professionals at SPHCs should pay special attention to vulnerable migrants without previous experience in ambulatory general practice and who depend on referents in their care pathways. For these patients, adapted referral protocols with further individual support and empowerment should be considered.

A Helpful Measure to Measure Help: The Construction and Validation of the Intergroup Giving and Intergroup Acting in Favor of Refugees Scale (IGIAF)

Since 2015, Europe has experienced two important influxes of vulnerable migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Despite heterogenous reactions within and across countries, acts of humanitarianism and solidarity have occurred in a diverse range of behaviors. Given the particularities of Intergroup Helping in favor of refugees, a more nuanced understanding of intentions to engage in helping behaviors would enrich theoretical and applied research. We developed and validated a scale of Intergroup Helping in favor of refugees, that covers the two dimensions of help, i.e., Intergroup Giving (alleviating the suffering of others) and Intergroup Acting (addressing injustices and inequalities). Following scale construction practices, we proceeded in three phases. First, we identified and defined our domains of interest, and proceeded to collect representative helping behaviors, using secondary data of semi-structured interviews on volunteers. These behaviors were pre-tested. Then, across two studies, we examined the scale’s reliability, dimensionality, and validity qualities. Study 1 was distributed among a student sample at two time-points. Results yielded robust internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and predictive validity, and displayed preliminary evidence of the bidimensional structure. Study 2 was distributed among a non-student sample and supported the bidimensional structure of the scale. This research demonstrates that Intergroup Helping intentions in favor of refugees can be classified into Intergroup Giving and Intergroup Acting behaviors and offers a predictive tool to investigate these behaviors in an intergroup context.

LEVERAGING AI IN CASE MANAGEMENT FOR VULNERABLE MIGRANTS: A PATH TOWARD ENHANCED RESILIENCE

The concept paper explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving case management for vulnerable migrants. With the increasing challenges faced by migrants, including displacement, exploitation, and lack of access to services, there is a growing need for innovative solutions to support their well-being and resilience. The paper begins by providing an overview of the current landscape of migration and the challenges faced by vulnerable migrants. It highlights the limitations of traditional case management approaches, including resource constraints, lack of data-driven decision-making, and difficulty in tracking and monitoring cases effectively. The paper then delves into the potential of AI in transforming case management for vulnerable migrants. AI technologies, such as natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and data analytics, can enable more efficient and effective case management processes. AI can help in automating routine tasks, such as data entry and documentation, allowing case workers to focus more on providing personalized support to migrants. Furthermore, AI can assist in identifying patterns and trends in migration flows and service utilization, enabling more proactive and targeted interventions. By leveraging AI, case workers can make more informed decisions, improve service delivery, and enhance the overall resilience of vulnerable migrants. However, the paper also acknowledges the challenges and ethical considerations associated with the use of AI in case management. These include concerns about data privacy and security, algorithmic bias, and the potential for AI to replace human decision-making entirely. Addressing these challenges will be crucial in ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically in supporting vulnerable migrants. In conclusion, the concept paper emphasizes the importance of leveraging AI in case management for vulnerable migrants as a means to enhance resilience and improve outcomes. It calls for a collaborative approach involving policymakers, practitioners, and technology developers to harness the full potential of AI in supporting vulnerable migrants and building more inclusive and resilient communities. Keywords: AI, Case Management, Migrants.

Identifying needs, barriers and improving access to coordinated care for asylum seekers and refugees (vulnerable migrants). An approach to sustainable improvement

Identifying needs, barriers and improving access to coordinated care for asylum seekers and refugees (vulnerable migrants). An approach to sustainable improvement

High proportion of post-migration HIV acquisition in migrant men who have sex with men receiving HIV care in the Paris region, and associations with social disadvantage and sexual behaviours: results of the ANRS-MIE GANYMEDE study, France, 2021 to 2022.

BackgroundSome migrant men who have sex with men (MSM) acquire HIV in France.AimsWe investigated, in migrant MSM receiving HIV care in France, the (i) rate of post-migration-HIV acquisition in France, (ii) delay between arrival and HIV acquisition and (iii) factors affecting HIV acquisition within 1 year after migration.MethodsThis cross-sectional study focused on ≥ 18-year-old MSM born outside France, receiving HIV care in the Paris region. Information on migration history, socioeconomic condition, sexual activity, and health was collected in May 2021-June 2022 through self-administered questionnaires and medical records. Post-migration-HIV-acquisition rate and delay between arrival in France and HIV acquisition were estimated from biographical data and CD4+ T-cell counts. Predictors of HIV acquisition within 1 year after migration were determined using logistic regression.ResultsOverall post-migration HIV-acquisition rate was 61.7% (715/1,159; 95%CI: 61.2-62.2), ranging from 40.5% (95%CI: 39.6-41.6) to 85.4% (95%CI: 83.9-86.0) in participants from Latin America and North Africa. Among post-migration-HIV acquisitions, those within 1 year after migration represented 13.1% overall (95%CI: 11.6-14.6), being highest in participants from sub-Saharan Africa (25%; 95%CI: 21.5-28.3). Participants ≥ 15-years old at migration, with post-migration-acquired HIV, had a 7.5-year median interval from arrival in France to HIV acquisition (interquartile range (IQR): 3.50-14.75). Older age at arrival, region of origin (sub-Saharan Africa and Asia), degree of social disadvantage and numbers of sexual partners were independently associated with acquiring HIV within 1 year in France.ConclusionOur findings may guide HIV prevention policies for most vulnerable migrants to Europe.

Rising Bribes: Accessing Public Health Services in Northern Cyprus during COVID-19

Objective: This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on informal payments (bribes) in accessing public health services. It assesses whether the pandemic increased informal payments and whether vulnerable populations, namely women, migrants, and low-income individuals, were more susceptible to bribery.&#x0D; &#x0D; Methods: Data from pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic (2021) Global Corruption Barometer surveys in Northern Cyprus were statistically analyzed to examine changes in informal payments and their associations with gender, income, and immigrant status.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: The study revealed a significant surge in informal payments for accessing public health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, 4.70% of respondents reported paying bribes, but in 2021, this figure spiked to 17.85%, with an odds ratio of 4.391 underscoring the magnitude of the increase. Notably, gender and socioeconomic disparities were evident. Women reported higher bribe rates (20.3%) compared to men (13.7%), migrants had substantially higher bribe rates (25.7%) than natives (15.7%), and individuals with lower incomes (25.6%) were more inclined to engage in bribery. Logistic regression estimation results showed that migrants had a 9.48% higher likelihood of bribery, low-income individuals had a 14.27% higher probability, and being female was associated with a 9.28% higher chance of engaging in bribery.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: This study highlights a troubling surge in bribery within the public health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vulnerable populations, especially women, migrants, and low-income individuals, face increased risks. Urgent action is needed to combat corruption in healthcare during pandemics and ensure equitable access to healthcare services.&#x0D; &#x0D; Key Words&#x0D; COVID-19, bribes, public health, vulnerable groups, Cyprus

Entangled Vulnerabilities: Gendered and Racialised Bodies and Borders in EU External Border Security

ABSTRACT The notion of vulnerability is gaining traction in EU border protection. On the one hand, the concept refers to vulnerable migrants and their affectedness by insecurity and violence. On the other, it indicates the susceptibility of borders to irregular crossings and cross-border crime. Both forms of vulnerability are assessed through dedicated procedures under the umbrella of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex. To make sense of these seemingly contradictory conceptual and practical uses of vulnerability, we draw on feminist postcolonial scholarship in security studies and political geography. We argue that a shared colonial matrix of gendered and racialised meanings and problematisations enables analogies between borders and bodies as (un-)deserving of protection. In a discourse-theoretical analysis of Frontex documents, we show how the ambiguous use of vulnerability legitimises the EU border regime and its security practices by constructing EU bordering as neutral and objective and EU borders as objects of care. We conclude that vulnerability becomes increasingly important for normalising the EU’s violent borders in the context of the EU’s broader claims to liberal values of freedom, protection, and human rights.

The Bureaucratic Waiting Tolls: Social Consequences of Uncertain and Prolonged Waiting in U.S. Lawful Permanent Residence Processing

This study expands existing sociological and immigration scholarship on waiting, governmentality, and U.S. immigration bureaucracies by introducing the concept of the bureaucratic waiting tolls. Research has identified costs of uncertainty and waiting within the enforcement, judicial, and legislative arms of federal immigration bureaucracies, particularly for vulnerable migrant groups. The consequences of prolonged waiting in U.S. federal immigration bureaucracies’ service branches are less well understood. I examine the consequences of waiting for an adjustment of legal status to lawful permanent residence (LPR) within the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) bureaucracy among temporary nonimmigrants in the United States on visas. While the outcome of waiting for an adjustment of status—receiving a green card—is typically framed as success, I question whether the process of waiting is also one that primes migrants for success. Drawing on qualitative textual analysis of posts on an online immigration forum between 2007 and 2021, I identify multifaceted tolls of waiting in the USCIS bureaucracy. Updates from USCIS toll unexpectedly and disrupt everyday lives, financial tolls and opportunity costs—particularly in employment—directly impact life trajectories, and waiting introduces every day and longer-term damage that marginalizes this immigrant group. Exacerbated by uncertain and prolonged bureaucratic waiting, these tolls are consequential for migrant well-being. I conclude with policy suggestions to reform existing immigration caps to reduce long wait times and thereby alleviate the consequences of waiting and strengthen integration pathways throughout and following the LPR process.

Universal right to health for vulnerable migrants

L’Organisation mondiale de la santé positionne l’accès universel et l’équité des soins comme des critères d’évaluation de la performance des systèmes de santé. L’Organisation des Nations unies est en faveur d’une couverture sanitaire universelle, objectif 2030. En France, il a été proposé de redéfinir l’aide médicale d’État (AME), en argumentant une économie budgétaire. Les personnes en situation irrégulière auraient accès aux soins uniquement pour les situations médicales urgentes. L’état de santé de tous les primo-arrivants est préoccupant, avec une grande fréquence des problèmes de santé physique et psychique. Parmi eux, ceux en situation irrégulière et les demandeurs d’asile sont particulièrement vulnérables. Seule une faible proportion des personnes pouvant bénéficier de l’AME auraient ouvert leurs droits. Ce papier de position explore les interactions entre le droit universel à la santé et la vulnérabilité des populations migrantes. Il propose aux soins de santé primaires de prendre soin de ces populations vulnérables, en appliquant les principes de l’universalisme proportionné, d’aller-vers et de faire-avec. Il avertit qu’une réduction du panier de soins de l’AME aurait pour effet d’augmenter le renoncement aux soins et de dégrader l’état de santé des populations concernées.

Interventions to improve access to primary care for inclusion health groups in England: a scoping review

BackgroundEveryone in England has the right to primary care without financial charges. Nevertheless, evidence shows that barriers remain for inclusion health populations such as vulnerable migrants, people experiencing homelessness, Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities, and people who sell sex. There is little evidence for what works to improve access. This study was a scoping review of interventions to improve access to mainstream primary care for inclusion health groups in England. MethodsIn this scoping review, we searched databases (Embase, Medline, APA PsychInfo, the Cochrane Collaboration Library, Web of Science and CINAHL) and grey literature sources, including the National Health Service and National Institute for Clinical Excellence, for articles published in English between Jan 1, 2010, and Dec 31, 2020, with no limit on study design. Data were extracted according to inclusion criteria, including interventions taking place in England and targeting people with insecure immigration status, people who sell sex, people experiencing homelessness, and GRT communities. Results were presented in a narrative synthesis. Findings39 studies describing one or more interventions were included: four peer-reviewed articles (one randomised trial, two quality improvement projects, and one mixed-methods study protocol) and 25 grey literature items (38 interventions in total). Interventions mostly targeted people with insecure immigration status (17/38, 45%), and a majority (12/38, 32%) took place in London. The most common types of intervention were training, education, and resources (such as leaflets or websites) for patients or staff (25/38, 66%), and most interventions targeted GP registration processes (28/38, 74%). Interventions commonly involved voluntary and community sector organisations (16/38, 42%). Most interventions were not evaluated to understand their effectiveness (23/38, 61%). Sources with evaluations identified staff training, direct patient advocacy, and involvement of people with lived experience as effective elements. InterpretationInterventions to improve access to primary care for inclusion health groups in England were heterogeneous, commonly undertaken at community level, and developed to serve local inclusion health groups. Considerations for policymakers and practitioners include groups and geographical areas less commonly included in interventions, the elements of positive practice identified in evaluations, and the need for evaluation of future interventions. FundingNational Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR 202050).

Topics of Women’s Health Research in the United States, Canada, European Union, and Japan in 2012-2022

Purpose: This study investigated recent trends in the topics of women's health research in the United States (US), Canada, Japan, and the European Union where various research projects related to women and gender have been conducted.Methods: To explore recent international women's health research, we selected research projects conducted between 2012 and 2022 from the US National Institute of Health, Canada's Research Information System, Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Science Research Performance Database, and the European Union's CORDIS website. We categorized the identified research into three main areas; common or serious diseases and conditions affecting women, diseases, and conditions specific to women, and factors influencing women's health.Results: The focus of health research expanded beyond traditional views of women, gender, and gender differences. Projects addressed the health needs of vulnerable groups, including refugees, migrants, incarcerated women, trans individuals, and pregnant women with autism. They also explored the connections between gender and racial differences in women's health. This inclusive approach considered the gaps and intersections within women's health.Conclusion: Future women's health research in Korea will need to consider the intersectionality of gender, aging, and immigration. Environment-based approach in the research of drug addiction, mental health, nursing, and care would be important.

Migrants and Healthcare during COVID-19, the Case of Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, as reported by the WHO in December 2019 and subsequently declared a public health emergency of international concern, a distinct set of risk factors and vulnerabilities faced by migrants are affecting their exposure to the pandemic and its associated outcomes. This study aims to analyze the social determinants of health among migrants and their associated factors and compare the socio-demographic characteristics, patterns of COVID-19, and healthcare attendance and utilization among migrant workers and non-migrants. A descriptive study design was used to analyze COVID-19 morbidity among migrant workers. There were a total of 73,762 migrants living in the province by December 2021, with varied statuses and nationalities. Most of the migrants were from Myanmar, constituting about 80.1%. A total of 24,837 COVID-19 cases in Kanchanaburi province were recorded in 2020-2021. COVID-19 cases among migrant workers accounted for 22.3% during the period under review. Half, 2914 (52.7%) of the migrant female workers were victims of COVID-19 infections. Persons under the age of 18 accounted for about one-fifth of all the COVID-19 cases. Older, over 60 years old, Thais had about twice (10.1%) the COVID-19 cases compared with the older migrants (5.5%). There was a significant increase in healthcare attendance and utilization by non-migrants and migrants during the year under review. Migrants are at high risk of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, public health guidance for the prevention of COVID-19 should prioritize safeguarding the health of migrants by considering their individual characteristics and actions. Enhancing health insurance schemes for migrants, particularly vulnerable migrant groups, is critical for inclusive and expanded healthcare access. Physical, social, and economic environments that impact the health and well-being of migrants should be integral to pandemic prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1/2 infection among immigrants and refugees in Central Brazil, an emerging vulnerable population.

Migratory flows play a significant role in the spread of human T-lymphotropic virus 1/2 (HTLV-1/2). In the last decade, a substantial migration of individuals occurred from Haiti and Venezuela to Brazil. However, data on the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among these international migrants in Brazil are scarce. This study describes the prevalence of this infection among immigrants and refugees in Central Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 537 international migrants in the State of Goiás, Central Brazil. Participants were interviewed, and blood samples were collected. Serological screening for anti-HTLV-1/2 was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Murex HTLV-I + II, DiaSorin, Dartford, UK), and seropositive samples were submitted for confirmation by a line immunoassay (INNO-LIA HTLV I/II, Fujirebio, Europe N.V., Belgium). The majority of participants were males (54.4%), between 18 and 50 years old (78%; mean age: 29.1 years), self-declared black (55.1%), reported 1 to 12 years of formal education (70.9%), and were either Venezuelans (47.9%) or Haitians (39.7%). Additionally, 50.1% were immigrants, 49% were refugees, and five were Brazilian children (0.9%) born to Haitian immigrant parents. The overall prevalence of anti-HTLV-1/2 was 0.95% (95% CI: 0.31-2.28), with HTLV-1 at 0.19% and HTLV-2 at 0.76%. All seropositive individuals (n = 5) were refugees from Venezuela, resulting in a rate of 2.26% for anti-HTLV-1/2, HTLV-1 (0.45%) and HTLV-2 (1.81%) among Venezuelan refugees. Of the demographic and behavioral characteristics evaluated, unprotected sexual intercourse and having more than one sexual partner (≥2) in the previous 12 months were associated with HTLV-1/2 seropositivity among Venezuelans. This study revealed, despite the low seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 among international migrants in Central Brazil, evidence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections in Venezuelan refugees. In addition, their characteristics highlight that specific social and health programs should be implemented for these emergent and socially vulnerable migrant groups.

Labor exploitation in the Italian agricultural sector: the case of vulnerable migrants in Tuscany.

Labor exploitation of agricultural migrant workers is a well-documented phenomenon by investigations and field research in several Italian regions, both in the North and the South. Despite the agri-food excellencies of the "Made in Italy" brand being a source of pride for Italian entrepreneurship, including the viticulture sector, evidence shows that many of these products are the result of different levels of illegal recruitment and labor exploitation. In this article, the authors analyze the impact of recent waves of vulnerable migrants entering the Italian labor market and present the results of a qualitative field research, conducted in Tuscany between 2021 and 2022. Through 60 interviews with exploited migrant workers and 40 interviews with relevant stakeholders, the authors focus on the recruitment process of vulnerable migrants into the agriculture sector and the labor conditions granted to them regardless of their particular migratory status. The article concludes with the analysis of the peculiarities of the Tuscan case study, characterized by the presence of a legal system of labor exploitation.

Irregular migration of vulnerable groups to Ecuador: a breach of human rights

The reasons behind the irregular migration of children and pregnant women are diverse and complex, but political instability, violence, and poverty in their home countries stand out. Due to its geographical location and relatively flexible migration policies, Ecuador has become a transit and destination point for many vulnerable migrants. Children embarking on this perilous journey face countless risks, including exploitation, trafficking, and abuse. It is crucial to implement policies that safeguard their rights and well-being, while also providing access to essential services such as education and healthcare. Pregnant women also confront a delicate situation, as the journey can jeopardize their health and that of their babies. The lack of adequate healthcare access during the journey and in the destination, country exacerbates their vulnerabilities. Addressing this issue demands a comprehensive and coordinated response involving the governments of origin, transit, and destination countries. Establishing specific protection and assistance measures for the most vulnerable groups is essential, ensuring their human rights are upheld and offering opportunities for a dignified and secure life.