Migration and Health Issues Quiz

Disadvantaged Groups: Migrants and Refugees

• Individuals form disadvantaged groups due to economic situations, gender, ethnic or linguistic origins, religion, or political status.
• Language, race, religion, economic conditions, etc. may later emerge as factors contributing to disadvantage. Skin color and gender are often inherited characteristics.
• Examples of disadvantaged groups include immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and irregular immigrants.

Refugee Definition (Geneva Convention 1951)

• A refugee is someone outside their country of citizenship who cannot or does not want to return because they fear persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, and these fears are justified.

Immigrant Definition

• There's no universally accepted definition of an immigrant across all countries.
• An immigrant is someone who moves to another country or within their own country to improve their material and social living conditions without coercion by their own will and decision. Economic and social conditions are key factors driving immigration.

Refugee vs. Immigrant

• Refugees leave their country involuntarily due to security concerns.
• Immigrants leave of their own free will to improve their economic or social conditions.

Irregular Immigrants

• Irregular immigrants enter or exit a country without conforming to the laws and regulations of that country.
• This may be due to carelessness, arbitrary reasons, or unfair circumstances.
• Irregular immigrants lack legal right to stay and violate the laws of the country.

Asylum Seeker

• Asylum seekers are individuals seeking international protection as refugees, but their status hasn't yet been formally recognized.

Global Displacement Statistics (2019)

• Total forcibly displaced people: ~79.5 million
• Refugees: ~26 million
• Internally displaced people: ~45.7 million
• Asylum seekers: ~4.2 million
• Turkey hosted ~4 million refugees in 2019.

Historical Migration

• Throughout history, people have migrated to achieve better living standards.
• Migration is an ongoing process, not just a momentary event.

Immigration Definitions

• Immigration involves the movement of individuals or groups from one place to another to settle permanently.
• It also includes geographic movements of people directed to a location with or without a specific target.

Types of Migration

• Out-migration: Movement from one country to another.
• Internal migration: Movement within a country's borders.
• Internal migrations can be permanent or temporary.

Internal Migration

• Continuous migration: People settle permanently, often moving from rural to urban areas.
• Seasonal migration: Migrations tied to specific seasons, frequently for work in agriculture, tourism, or construction.

Reasons for Migration

• Economic reasons: People migrate to areas with better economic opportunities, resources, and job markets. Turkish workers in Germany during the 1960s are an example of this.
• Political developments: Wars, treaty changes, and shifts in country borders can force people to relocate.
• Natural disasters: Disasters like floods, earthquakes, and droughts can displace people.
• Social factors: Factors like education, population growth, and health concerns can motivate people to move. Security concerns (e.g., vendetta, terrorism) also play a role.

Social Problems Related to Migration

• Urban population density increases.
• Unplanned urbanization growth.
• Environmental issues related to inadequate services (pollution).
• Education systems are affected by migration's impact.
• Unemployment rates increase in migrated regions.
• Difficulty in income distribution.
• Living standards decline for some.
• Societal incompatibilities increase due to cultural differences.

Problems Faced by Individuals/Families

• The most urgent problems are finding shelter (housing) and employment.
• If shelter needs aren't met, individuals might live in unhealthy or unsuitable accommodations outside of cities.
• Poverty and lack of job opportunities are direct causes of migration, making the cycle worse.

Employment Problems in Migrants and Refugees

• Uncertainties in status often lead to employment issues and unemployment.
• Immigrant/refugee employment might compete with local populations for the same jobs, which creates shortages.
• Shared jobs/inability to share jobs creates problems.
• Limited access to work permits can restrict job opportunities.

Integration Problem in Migrants/Refugees

• Socio-economic and cultural differences create clusters, segregation, and polarization.
• Language barriers hinder communication and adaptation.
• Individuals face difficulties adapting to social life and working life in their new environment due to the disadvantage they experience.
• Social marginalization, daily stress, discrimination, threat of deportation impede adaptation.
• Differences in gender, age, physical condition, class position, and ethnic/religious background can further isolate individuals.
• Disabled Immigrant/refugees have additional hurdles in accessing housing, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Female Immigrant Problems

• According to UN reports, 80% of immigrants are women and children, often of reproductive age.
• Female immigrants often migrate for work, family-related issues (e.g., sending money home), better elderly care services, and improved women's roles in the workforce.
• They face economic inequality, human rights violations, difficulties accessing health and education services.
• They face domestic violence, sexual harassment, and exploitation. They often have trouble navigating divorce and patriarchal structures.

Health Problems in Women Migrants/Refugees

• Nutritional disorders
• Anemia, Malaria, Respiratory Infections, STIs, including HIV/AIDS
• Early marriages, underage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies, complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
• Menstrual irregularities, early menopause (1.4 years earlier).
• Health issues related to violence (physical and sexual).
• Complications from existing chronic diseases.
• High rates of mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
• Living conditions (shared housing) also cause health concerns.

Health Problems in Children Migrants/Refugees

• Pre-migration health issues (malnutrition, preventable diseases).
• Health risks during the journey (hypothermia, disease exposure, lack of access to care).
• Health risks in the destination country (lack of toys/playgrounds, frequent relocation, difficulty in accessing education).
• Social isolation, inability to predict future.
• Difficulties related to financial issues and xenophobia.
• Increased risk of infectious diseases in camps, due to overcrowding and lack of medical/sanitation resources.

Refugee and Migrant Children: Infectious Diseases

• Infectious diseases are higher than other human populations in refugee camps.
• Contagion and epidemic spread rapidly due to crowding and poor hygiene within refugee camps.
• Underdeveloped/less-developed countries face difficulties related to medical supplies, personnel, and equipment, all of which are lacking.

Nutritional Risks

• The first years in the destination are full of nutritional risks for children due to changes in dietary habits, cuts in breastfeeding, malnutrition, Vitamin D deficiencies.

Mental Health Risks

• Refugee and migrant children experience elevated rates of mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety related to extraordinary situations during migration.

This quiz explores various health and socio-economic challenges faced by migrant and refugee children, particularly in underdeveloped countries. Topics include nutrition, mental health, and the factors influencing migration. Test your knowledge on these critical issues surrounding migration and health.