Migrant Health: A Look at Their Health Status

Focusing primarily on the health of the most vulnerable migrants, most of whom have recently arrived in France, Santé publique France published a special issue of the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin on September 5, 2017, which provides insights from various organizations involved in their care. The studies conducted highlighted the extreme vulnerability of many of these newly arrived migrants, who face numerous health issues—both physical and mental—along with significant difficulties in accessing care.

The ANRS Parcours Study

The first large-scale quantitative survey conducted among immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa, the ANRS Parcours survey describes and analyzes the migratory, social, administrative, and health trajectories of this population in the Île-de-France region. This research, conducted in 2012–2013 under the scientific leadership of the IRD, INSERM, and Santé publique France, in partnership with migrant and patient organizations, highlights the challenges of settling in, the family and professional upheavals upon arrival in France, and their impact on health.

A guide for professionals

The guide from the Committee for the Health of Exiles (Comede), "Care and Support for Migrants/Foreigners in Precarious Situations," offers solutions to help professionals address health issues such as psychotraumatic syndromes, chronic diseases, and infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, etc. More broadly, it supports them in handling complex requests (social, administrative, psychological, legal) and provides the keys to effective support by offering concrete solutions for better care of exiled individuals.

A new version of the bilingual health booklets

Produced in partnership with Comede and intended for migrants and people in precarious situations, the health booklets provide information on health, rights, and administrative procedures in France. Their bilingual format makes it easier to communicate with doctors, social workers, or any other professional. After more than 10 years in circulation, the "Bilingual Health Booklets" are currently being updated and will be available in 2018 in 11 languages.

A communication initiative for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa

For several years, Santé publique France has been implementing communication initiatives targeting populations from sub-Saharan Africa living in France.

The magazine *Et la santé, on dit quoi?*, whose 22nd issue will be released in late January 2018, is the first free magazine for the African community dedicated to health. This educational and entertaining quarterly magazine offers a wealth of health advice while entertaining its readers with interviews, a photo novel, and more. Made available to people from sub-Saharan Africa through the Afrique Avenir association, it is also distributed at markets and in certain train stations.

The “Health Check-ins” on Radio Africa No. 1 have been a weekly fixture for several years for listeners of the most influential African media outlet in France. Every Thursday morning from 9 to 10 a.m., the health program brings together many listeners to discuss various topics such as vaccination, tuberculosis, HIV, nutrition, skin lightening, contraception, and many others.

The program Comment va la santé? on Télésud is the new addition for 2017. This 26-minute monthly program airs every third Monday of the month on Télésud, the first pan-African general-interest channel (broadcast free of charge throughout France). Launched in June 2017, it addresses health topics in an interactive way through reports, street interviews, and lively on-set discussions between the two hosts and a guest expert on the subject.