7.N. Scientific session: The Health-Migration Nexus on a heating planet: New Evidence and Future Directions for Europe

Abstract

 

The health impacts of climate change are increasingly evident across the European Region, manifesting in diverse, intersecting ways. Rising rates of vector-borne diseases, food insecurity, heat exposure, air pollution, and sequelae from extreme weather events are placing growing pressure on health systems. One of the most complex consequences is the acceleration of human mobility-both within and across borders. Sudden-onset events (e.g., floods, wildfires) and slow-onset processes (e.g., desertification, sea-level rise) are driving forced displacement, voluntary migration, as well as immobility. The International Organization for Migration defines climate migration as the movement of individuals or groups compelled or choosing to leave their homes-temporarily or permanently-due to environmental changes driven by climate change. This phenomenon increasingly intersects with health vulnerabilities. Despite its scale and relevance, the nexus of climate change, migration, and health remains underexplored in Europe, with limited understanding of implications for health systems and population wellbeing. This scientific session brings together researchers from the ‘World Health Summit Academic Alliance - The Lancet Regional Health Europe Commission on Health, Migration and Climate Change: The European Context’ to explore this complex landscape, present emerging insights, and highlight interventions to mitigate health risks for climate-affected migrants in Europe. Expert panelists will present regional evidence and identify key areas for future research.

The session will begin with a brief introduction by the chair, including a mention of the new Commission. This will be followed by four 10-minute presentations: 1. Findings from two desk reviews on climate-related migration impacts-one on extreme heat events, the other on mental health; 2. A systematic review of grey and peer-reviewed literature informing the WHO's research agenda on this topic; 3. Qualitative field research with NGOs and health professionals responding to health impacts of climate-linked migration; 4. An analysis of the European health policy landscape regarding migrants’ health and climate change.

The policy review includes 38 documents, identified through systematic content analysis of European reports and policies. Key adaptation measures highlighted include heat-health action plans, early warning systems, improved surveillance for climate-sensitive diseases, and climate-informed urban planning. A moderated panel discussion will debate the strengths and limitations of these approaches, integrating audience questions with the aid of Mentimeter, ensuring interactive dialogue on this urgent and evolving topic.

Key messages

• Climate change exacerbates diverse health risks to migrants in European countries, highlighting inequalities in health care access and exposing urgent policy and research gaps.

• There is little evidence on good practices to reduce these risks and ensure timely and equitable access to health services in Europe for climate-vulnerable mobile populations

Speakers/Panellists

Kayvan Bozorgmehr

Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany

Giulia Acquadro Pacera

University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

Achenyo Abbah

Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway