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Creating an evidence base to support policy and practice should be an urgent objective for the research and policy making communities, argues Ursula Trummer

Welfare states around the world restrict access to public healthcare for some migrant groups. Formal restrictions on migrants’ healthcare access are often justified with economic arguments; for example, as a means to prevent excess costs and safeguard scarce resources. However, existing studies on the economics of migrant health policies suggest that restrictive policies increase rather than decrease costs. This evidence has largely been ignored in migration debates. Amplifying the relationship between welfare state transformations and the production of inequalities, the Covid-19 pandemic may fuel exclusionary rhetoric and politics; or it may serve as an impetus to reconsider the costs that one group’s exclusion from health can entail for all members of society. The public health community has a responsibility to promote evidence-informed health policies that are ethically and economically sound, and to counter anti-migrant and racial discrimination (whether overt or masked with economic reasoning). Toward this end, we propose a research agenda which includes 1) the generation of a comprehensive body of evidence on economic aspects of migrant health policies, 2) the clarification of the role of economic arguments in migration debates, 3) (self-)critical reflection on the ethics and politics of the production of economic evidence, 4) the introduction of evidence into migrant health policymaking processes, and 5) the endorsement of inter- and transdisciplinary approaches. With the Covid-19 pandemic and surrounding events rendering the suggested research agenda more topical than ever, we invite individuals and groups to join forces toward a (self-)critical examination of economic arguments in migration and health, and in public health generally.

Abstract WKS 37: Round Table discussion on Migration and Health Economics: Bridging Evidence Gaps for Informed Policy and Practice, B302 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 09:00 - 10:00 Rationales and Purpose The field of migration health is increasingly relevant due to globalization, aging European workforce, displacement from crisis regions, and climate-induced migration. Beyond the humanitarian duty to ensure healthcare access for vulnerable groups, questions arise about scope and economic cost of services. Evidence suggests that exclusion from care can be more costly than inclusion, yet data gaps hinder evidence-based policymaking. Stronger collaboration between experts in migration, health, and health economics is needed to strengthen the evidence base. This workshop aims to explore ways to foster research cooperation and identify priority topics for advancing equitable, sustainable healthcare policies. Workshop-Process The session will follow round table format. After short introductions, panelists from health economics, policy, public health, and migration health will share insights from their work. A panel discussion will examine what kind of economic evidence is needed to improve decision-making and health outcomes for migrants and refugees. Participants will then split into groups to discuss: which economic evidence is still missing, how to promote interdisciplinary, international cooperation to obtain it, how to prepare findings for policy and practice. The workshop will conclude with group presentations and wrap-up by the facilitators. Projected Learning Outcomes The workshop highlights the role of health economics in migration health and the need for cross-sector collaboration. Participants will define evidence gaps and how to link findings with policymaking to improve healthcare for migrants and refugees.

Abstract EP2.2, e-Poster Terminal 2, September 3, 2025, 13:05 - 14:00 Aim The East and Horn of Africa region by the end of 2024 due to conflict and climate change-related disasters hosts 23.6 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP). Aim of a capacity building initiative in the region is to Learn from community experts about practices in place for promoting refugees’ health. Methods The Center for Health and Migration, Austria (CHM) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM UN-Migration), in cooperation with stakeholders at international, national, and sub-national level organize Health and Migration online courses. By 2024, 5 courses have been implemented and a community of 332 experts who work for and with migrants and refugees, in policy making, program development, and health and social care in the East and Horn of Africa region has been built up. Provision of health care for refugees and IDP is an important topic in the course. Results One successful practice model identified in the capacity building initiative, is the Refugee Life Support Network (R.L.S.N.), a local NGO in Kampala, Uganda, 2017 founded and since then led by a Burundian refugee. Funded by donations, R.L.S.N. with volunteering refugee professionals provides free medical consultation to around 2,000 refugees annually, including mental health services, financial assistance for medical examinations and medications. In a dedicated webinar the case of R.L.S.N. was presented to an international and interdisciplinary group of interested alumni from the five health and migration courses. The discussion highlighted the high impact of community-based grassroot organisations in low-resource settings and challenges faced, e.g. an increase in the number of patients and at the same time a decrease in financial resources. Conclusion Development of inclusive health policies and programs could benefit from the practice knowledge of community experts. Sharing experiences and mutual learning within a group of experts working with refugees can impact practice development.

Abstract EP1.4, e-Poster Terminal 1, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 13:00 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.

Abstract PTH 4: Mental Health and Refugees 2, B307 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 14:00 - 14:48 Aim Migration and Health has been identified as one of the crosscutting issues in the African Unions’ Migration Policy Framework for Africa. There is high demand to build up a critical mass of expertise and experts on health and migration that can engage in policy, programme and practice development. Methods The Center for Health and Migration, Austria (CHM) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM UN-Migration), and the Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, in close cooperation with stakeholders at international, national, and sub-national level, are jointly organizing online courses on Health and Migration. It aims at capacity building in the East and Horn of Africa region in the field of health and migration, building a community of experts who work for and with migrants, refugees, and local communities. The initiative is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. Results By 2024, 5 courses have been implemented. With the courses, a community of experts has been built up with 332 members from 15 African countries in 2024 in an Alumni database. Participants evaluation shows the importance of the course for capacity building on health and migration in participant’s countries as well as for personal development, and for the improvement of service provision for migrants. For sustainability and further capacity building, the initiative focuses on maintaining network and partnership by engaging alumni and collaborating with regional and national institutions and academia. Conclusions The online course proved to be important for building awareness and competence of professionals in the field of health and migration in the East and Horn of Africa region. Continuous engagement of alumni and networking can support intersectional and interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge and experiences.

Abstract EP2.2, e-Poster Terminal 2, September 3, 2025, 13:05 - 14:00 Aim Climate change and related forced migration is an increasingly important theme both in Europe and in Africa. Facilitating dialogue on climate change related impact on migrant health across the regions is one of the aims of an initiative from the Health and Migration field. Methods The Center for Health and Migration, Austria (CHM) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM UN-Migration), in cooperation with stakeholders at international, national, and sub-national level organize Health and Migration online courses. By 2024, 5 courses have been implemented and a community of 332 experts who work for and with migrants and refugees, in policy making, program development, and health and social care in the East and Horn of Africa region has been built up. The topic of climate change gained increasing attention, now being discussed in a dedicated training module and additional webinars. Results Discussants from Africa reported to encounter climate change effects on health and migration in their professional practice. In their experience, climate change aggravates issues of health and migration by fueling forced migration and displacement, increasing health care needs, and deteriorating access to health care. Migration is described as an important mitigation strategy vital for survival. Answers on questions raised for European colleagues, e.g. how Europe does experience and handle migration movements related to climate change within Europe, and how Europe does experience the impact of climate change on general dissatisfaction and mistrust in existing governance structures, are yet to be formulated. Conclusions Collecting knowledge and experiences from practice experts is crucial because they offer firsthand insights into challenges faced in practice, strategies in place, and related needs. A dialogue between experts from the Global North and South on the climate change impact on health and migrant can contribute to mutual learning and joint formulation of research questions.

Abstract PTH 6: Health Policy and Health Services 1, B307 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 16:30 - 17:30 Aim While the relevance of family is acknowledged as important both for health as for migration debates, the role of family for migration processes and its impact on health of migrants and those left behind has so far been under-researched. To provide a solid evidence base for policy development, better insight into the interplay of health, migration, and family, is needed. Furthermore, a proactive approach to engaging policymakers is crucial to ensuring that findings translate into meaningful policy action. Methods An interdisciplinary team of researchers from eight countries in the framework of the European COST Action Transnational Family Dynamics in Europe (TraFaDy) works on the conceptualisation of the intersections between health, migration, and family, and a collection of cases of transnational families, described by geographical distribution, emotional closeness, and health related family issues. A key aspect of this work involves active collaboration with policy stakeholders from Europe and Africa to assess policy gaps and needs, thereby ensuring that the research directly informs policy development. Results A first literature search indicates that for transnational families, mental health and well-being are particularly critical issues. National immigration legislation has a high impact on transnational family life and well-being. Policy stakeholders highlight the vital role of family dynamics for health and social development. Importantly, discussions with policymakers not only validate research priorities but also help shape future investigations. Discussions also explore effective strategies to communicate scientific evidence in ways that resonate with policymakers and drive actionable change. Conclusions By building evidence on the intersection of family, health, and migration in an interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international cooperation and by fostering an ongoing dialogue between researchers and policy stakeholders, we can ensure that scientific findings effectively shape policies that support the well-being of transnational families and contribute to broader societal development.

Intergenerational Family Solidarity (IGFS) is important for social cohesion and challenged by migration. Scientific evidence on how migrants sustain IGFS is scarce. In 2016, 421,875 migrants from different Former Yugoslav Republics were residing in Austria, the majority coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina(162.021) and Serbia (137.057). Immigrants from these countries are predominantly economic migrants who came in the 1960s and refugees of the Balkan wars in the 1990s. A literature review showed that intergenerational solidarity in migrant families in Austria is hardly covered by previous research. No published studies explicitly dealing with this subject were found. To generate more understanding, three migrant women who migrated as refugees in the 1990s from Bosnia and Serbia were asked about their family structures, family life, and family solidarity through semi-structured in-depth interviews based on qualitative sociological method. Results show that although immigration has weakened IGFS in terms of frequency of contact, high normative solidarity prevails and results in feelings of guilt and non-met family responsibilities. Support of parents and relatives is sustained by sending money and goods to the home country.