Abstract

Should migrants have the same rights as citizens to health care services? What do we mean by rights and by health? And how do we uphold such rights when diasporic networks provide a diversity of opportunities and constraints for people seeking to maintain or restore their health? Answering these pressing questions, this book highlights recent developments in the areas of migration, human rights and health from a range of countries. Looking at diverse health issues, from HIV to reproductive and maternal health, and a variety of forms of migration, including asylum seeking, labour migration and trafficking, this timely volume exposes the factors that contribute to the vulnerability of different mobile groups as they seek to uphold their wellbeing. Migration, Health and Inequality argues that we need to look beyond host country responses and biomedical frameworks and include both the role of transnational health networks and indigenous, popular or lay ideas about health when trying to understand why many migrants suffer from low levels of health relative to their host population. Offering a broad range of linkages between migrant agency, transnationalism and diaspora mechanisms, this unique collection also looks at the impact of migrant health on the health and rights of those communities that are left behind.
'Recent decades have seen a major increase in migration and global "flows", of peoples, populations and ideas. Against this background, this landmark volume sets out to examine fundamental questions of health and inequality. It provides essential reading for all interested in migration and health.' Professor Peter Aggleton, The University of New South Wales, Australia 'A collection of thought provoking and engagingly written selections, the book provides a nuanced, multi-layered examination of migrants' right to health in the context of shifting power relations under contemporary globalization. An important read for researchers, policymakers and service providers.' Dr Denise L. Spitzer, Canada Research Chair in Gender, Migration and Health, University of Ottawa 'This edited collection provides timely and thought-provoking insights into understanding migrants' physical and mental health status and their health-seeking behaviours. Going beyond a biomedical approach to health to consider alternative understandings of wellbeing and illness, as well as dimensions of inequality such as gender, socio-economic status and migrant status, this wide-ranging book represents an excellent source for understanding migrant health inequalities and the associated human rights challenges.' Katie Willis, Professor of Human Geography & Director of the Politics, Development & Sustainability (PDS) Group, Royal Holloway, University of London
Dr. Felicity Thomas is a lecturer at the University of Exeter and a research associate at the University of Sussex. Dr. Jasmine Gideon is a lecturer in development studies at Birkbeck College, University of London.