Trapped populations: A failure to adapt?

Climate change is now widely recognized as a key driver of migration and displacement in many regions of the world. At the same time, the public health community is investigating the health impacts of climate change, but these three dimensions have not often been linked. Climate and migration have got a complex, non-linear and unpredictable relationship that is caused by or causes many issues but also opportunities. Migration related to climate change impacts health, but at the same time it can create opportunities to improve health security. As an example for adverse health effects, the (re)mergence of vector-borne diseases driven by climate change might be amplified by migration flows to new territories. If food security has been addressed many times as a direct consequence of disruption of agricultural activities, other socio-economical, anthropological and political issues are often set aside. On the other hand, migration could mean better life and better access to health services. Adopting a transdisciplinary approach could help understand the unclear and unpredictable nature and dynamics of human migration as a consequence of climate change.
This conference will bring together scientists and experts to share, better understand, and advise, through a transdisciplinary approach, some tangible solutions to enhance the health context of climate migrants. The two round table topics will include: migration as an adaptation strategy against climate change, climate migration and its impacts on health as well as open questions aimed at discussing the future research priorities for global health.