Migration Mainstreaming in Health Policies: the example of the Swiss Program “Migration and Health”

Migration Mainstreaming in Health Policies: the example of the Swiss Program “Migration and Health”
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1. Context:
Foreigners make up one-fifth of the total Swiss population. They constitute a quarter of the labour force and fund a significant share of our health care system. But studies show that they are less healthy than the local population. Migrants are exposed to greater health risks and have a more difficult time accessing our health care services. Their knowledge about health-promoting behaviour is often insufficient, and they experience communication problems in their dealings with health institutions.
For detailed information regarding the health situation of migrants living in Switzerland, see Health monitoring of the migrant population in Switzerland.

2. The Swiss Programme Migration and Health
The National Programme “Migration and Health” (2014–2017) is the public health contribution of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in support of Switzerland’s migrant population. Its implementation occurs on behalf of the Federal Council (Federal Council Decree of 10 April 2013). Additionally, the programme is part of the national integration policy. The FOPH conceived the programme with the involvement of the State Secretary for Migration (SEM), the Federal Migration Commission and the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors, in accordance with the Federal Council’s demand that sensible integration policy measures be determined and implemented in various policy areas.
The Programme “Migration and Health” benefits primarily migrants of low social status and limited health literacy who suffer from corresponding health problems. But it is also intended to raise awareness among public health institutions in their dealings with diversity, allowing them to take their own measures. The approach will be as integrative as possible in order to take into account migrants’ needs within the normal structures of the health care system.
The programme follows international principles and initiatives (WHO, Council of Europe, EU); it aims to improve the health situation and health behaviour of the Swiss migrant population and create health equity. The health equity postulate is firmly established in the Federal Constitution and is a leitmotif of the federal government’s integration policy. Unless public health measures address the migrant population as well, they miss an important segment of their audience – with the corresponding risks and costs.

3. Implementation
With its annual budget of 2 million CHF, the programme implements measures in four areas of action:

  • Health promotion and prevention
  • Continuing education and provision in health care
  • Community interpreting
  • Research and knowledge management

Furthermore, relevant stakeholders in the health sector are encouraged to adapt their services to the migrant population as a target group, allowing them to take that population into account in their respective areas of competence.

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GFMD 2014-2015 - Roundtable 2.1 "Mainstreaming migration into planning at the sectoral level"

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