Understanding the Links Between Migration, Climate Change and Health
摘要
This chapter explores the interconnections between migration, health, and climate change. Through a comprehensive literature review, it reveals the complex relationships among these three phenomena and identifies existing knowledge and research gaps. Migration patterns can be influenced by climate-related events, risk perceptions, and adaptation measures. At the same time, migration itself can be an adaptation measure in response to environmental changes, allowing communities to cope with and mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, economic, social, and policy-related constraints may create situations of “forced immobility”. Additionally, migration, especially displacement and rural-to-urban migration, can have significant environmental impacts, contributing to urbanisation and potential environmental consequences. The relationship between migration and health is also multifaceted. Immigrants often serve as critical contributors to the healthcare workforce in destination countries. At the same time, healthcare access for migrants in host countries is subject to various barriers, but monetary and social remittances from migrants can enhance healthcare access in their home countries. Migration also influences health outcomes, affecting disease transmission and the health profiles of migrants in their host and home countries. The chapter concludes by highlighting the complex dynamics of migration, climate change, and health, emphasizing that climate-related disruptions can drive migration, subsequently affecting health outcomes.