Reversing the stigma towards international migrants: The role of public health professionals

Abstract

Objective: Stigma is one of the most significant challenges that international migrants face in their host societies. Stigma can exist at individual, interpersonal, and structural levels, and studies show that stigma towards migrants occur everywhere around the world with varying degrees. This study aimed to review existing literature on health effects of stigma towards international migrants and the role public health professionals can play to reduce stigma and its negative health outcomes for both economic and forced migrant populations. Materials and Methods: This narrative review was prepared by searching existing scientific literature in English and Turkish, in addition to available international reports and guidelines on best practices aiming to reduce stigma towards international migrants and its detrimental effects on migrant health. Results: Stigma and discrimination remain significant public health challenges across diverse cultural environments and have detrimental effects on mental, social and physical health. International migrants usually face double burden in accessing health care due to language, economic, legal, structural, and other barriers, which are excacerbated by stigma and discrimination in health care settings. Conclusion: Reversing the stigma towards international migrants requires multifaceted, multisectoral and long-term efforts, which should have social, cultural, educational, legal and institutional dimensions. Public health professionals have a strong potential to lead such joint initiatives at the local, national and global level. Targeted interventions for key professional groups are essential, however, wider educational interventions that start in pre-school years and aim to build more inclusive societies in a more sustainable way seem more crucial.