432 Economic arguments in migration and health - a call for interdisciplinary action to bridge silos

Ursula Trummer, Stefan Boes, Anne Jachmann, David McDaid, Sonja Novak-Zezula and Ina Teresa Wilczewska

LSE Research Online Documents on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library

Abstract: Aim The fundamental human right to health is recognized in numerous international and national documents and reinforced by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve universal healthcare access, policymakers and stakeholders in migration and health require evidence on effective and sustainable solutions to overcome barriers, considering cost and context. While many high-income healthcare systems incorporate health economic criteria in reimbursement decisions, the evidence base for migrants remains limited. This study aimed to identify existing economic studies, assess expert perspectives on the role of economic arguments in migration health discussions, and determine key topics that need further exploration. Methods Using a semi-structured survey, we examined migration health experts’ perspectives on the relevance of economic considerations and identified key research questions in the field from their perspective. A rapid literature review was conducted in May 2023 across two databases, SCOPUS and WEB OF SCIENCE. The review articles and survey responses were analyzed using inductive thematic content analysis. Results The survey indicates that the most relevant concerns are healthcare costs and factors influencing health determinants, such as limited integration into the care system. The rapid literature review highlights cost as a key barrier to equitable healthcare, frequently mentioned as a challenge but often lacking comprehensive economic analysis. Conclusion These findings indicate it is time to bridge silos by proactively engaging economists and migration health researchers in interdisciplinary knowledge building to use more economically sound arguments and rigorous analyses as a basis for decision-making related to migration health.

JEL-codes: J1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 1 pages
Date: 2025-12-08
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Published in European Journal of Public Health, 8, December, 2025, 35(Supplement_6). ISSN: 1101-1262

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