Effect of Migration on Lung Diseases

Abstract

Compared to the general population, immigrants may be more vulnerable to adverse health outcomes due to their complex social, economic, cultural and physical environmental histories. Immigrants retain some of the risk profiles typical for their region of origin, while changing physical and socio-cultural environments in host countries bring about a gradual change in disease patterns. In many countries, most immigrants work in jobs that pose serious environmental and occupational risks and adversely affect lung health, such as mining, construction and manufacturing jobs. In recent years, significant changes in the industrial structure of many immigration countries have changed their exposure to occupational respiratory hazards and therefore increased the burden of occupational respiratory diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an experience that will go down in history with its social determinants affecting lung health problems, and immigrants were most affected in this process. Unaffordable healthcare continues to be a major barrier for many migrants. Lung health problems can be solved by ensuring that immigrants have access to all services, especially protective services, as well as improving their living conditions.