ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review Regional Ministerial Meeting for Asia and the Pacific on Promoting Health Literacy April 2009, Beijing Enhancing Health Literacy Approaches for Migrants, Mobile Populations and Host Communities International Organization for Migration - IOM

Global intergovernmental body focused on all aspects of migration 125 Member States and 94 Observer States and other Organizations Field-oriented, with offices in 430 locations around the world, nearly 6700 staff, and a project base of approximately one billion dollars (US) in 2008 Humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society Migration and Health is one of IOMs primary areas of focus

Changes in Migration Patterns PACE - faster mobility and migration move DIVERSE types of migrants and mobile populations (regular, irregular; cross-border and internal) One of every 35 persons is an international migrant. (IOM Migration World Report, 2005)

Migration as such need not be a risk-factor to health However, the circumstances surrounding the migration process can pose risks to health Migration and Health

Vulnerability and migrant health determinants transit origin return destination No or limited access to health services, but many risk factors

Migration and Health : Interlinked and Interdependent IOM looks at HEALTH as a positive migration outcome advocate for rights of migrants to access health services, especially those who find themselves in vulnerable situations Well-managed migrant health benefits all Facilitates integration: healthy migrants are productive members of the community Stabilizes communities

Health literacy and access to health Government ownership Primary Health Care pillars & Health system strengthening Connect countries Rights based Involve migrants & community Inclusive: access to all Multi-sectoral

Engaging migrants & partners in improving migrant-friendly access to health care services World Health Assembly Resolution, 2008 : Migrants Health Health information Health promotion, disease prevention Treatment and care Referral systems Health surveillance, research Language, gender & culturally appropriate

Examples of I0M/Government Information-Education- Communications Activities on HIV and Safe Mobility Animation series –Series 1 Love in the City - Labour Migration & HIV –Series 2 On the Road - Highway Communities & HIV –Tailored training curriculum for HIV prevention and information in the infrastructure sector Radio drama series Life-skills activities manual, IEC materials ** Edutainment media – fun and informative 8 episodes, 10 minutes per episode Dubbed in Khmer, Lao, Myanmar, Thai and Vietnamese; English subtitles

Examples of I0M/Government Information- Education-Communications Activities on HIV and Safe Mobility For Life, with Life - a behaviour change communications tool ( 1-minute film clip)

HEALTHY MIGRANTS, HEALTHY THAILAND! To improve health and well-being among migrants in priority provinces of Thailand -- a sustainable and replicable model on health system strengthening, includes health literacy activities Key objectives : To strengthen the capacity of health care providers and health authorities at all levels to provide accessible basic health services To build the capacity of migrants and communities in assessing and providing health services to their peers and families To create a replicable model for Migrant Health Program, sustainable model for migrant health services To increase health literacy and promote positive health behaviors of migrants and most communities To support positive migrant health policy changes Chiang Rai Tak Samutsakorn Bangkok Ranong Pang Nga

Some Lessons Learned / Elements of Best Practices in Migrant Health Services and Health Literacy Effective inclusive health literacy policies and delivery systems that include informed cultural mediators and/or health promoters/health care providers Active community participation by promoting health- seeking behaviours and trust (through health education and health literacy) Use of balanced & innovative strategies that aim at equitable primary health care services also for the host communities Orderly migration management including cross border health cooperation, understanding and services

In previous ECOSOC preparatory & related meetings, action points raised Blending traditional health practices to health literacy approaches Very limited information on health literacy in Asia and the Pacific national, regional/sub-regional assessments – including a focus on migrants In light of financial crisis – ensuring that health of the workforce including migrants is addressed: Healthy workforces = Healthy economies (China) Effective health literacy strategy on environmental and climate change (ex. water table salinization in island States; population relocation and impacts on health) Health literacy approaches on emerging/re-emerging communicable diseases, and non communicable diseases

Achieving MDGs, Migrants and Health Literacy Key Messages 1.Healthy migrants = healthy communities 2.MDG Achievement will depend in many cases on focused inclusion of migrants in the target groups 3.Migrants have specific health needs and assessments and goals in health literacy need to be tailored for migrant groups and mobile populations

Thank you! Mr. Charles Harns Regional Representative, Manila Mr. Thomas Sinkovits Head of Office, Beijing Dr. Nenette Motus Regional Migration Health Manager, Bangkok