Reducing the burden of TB among migrants to low TB incidence countries

BACKGROUND: International migrants to low TB incidence countries are disproportionately affected by TB compared to the native population: migrants are at increased risk for TB transmission and TB disease due to a variety of personal, environmental and socio-economic determinants experienced during the four phases of migration (pre-departure, transit, arrival and early settlement, return travel). OBJECTIVE: To provide an up-to-date overview of the determinants that drive the TB burden among migrants, as well as effective and feasible interventions to address this for each migration phase. METHODS: We conducted a literature review by searching PubMed and the grey literature for articles and reports on determinants and interventions addressing migrant health and TB. RESULTS: Lowering the risk of TB transmission and TB disease among migrants would be most effective by improving the socio-economic position of migrants pre-, during and after migration, ensuring universal health coverage, and providing tailored and migrant-sensitive care and prevention activities. CONCLUSION: In addition to migrant-sensitive health services and cross-border collaboration between low TB incidence countries, there is a need for international financial and technical support for endemic countries.