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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57187/5167

Viewpoint

Vol. 156 No. 9 (2026)

Economic arguments in migration and health – a call for interdisciplinary action

Cite this as:
Swiss Med Wkly. 2026;156:5167
Published
30.09.2026

Summary

Economic considerations remain underexplored in migration and health research, despite their relevance for policy, equity and health system sustainability. This viewpoint synthesises insights from a rapid literature review, an expert survey and a workshop to explore how economic arguments are framed within scientific debates at the intersection of migration and health. Findings reveal that while cost-related aspects are frequently discussed with reference to migrants’ health and healthcare utilisation, they are rarely grounded in empirical data or formal economic evaluations, and collaboration between health economists and migration health researchers remains limited. Experts emphasised the importance of understanding both the short- and long-term costs of inclusion and exclusion of migrants in healthcare systems, as well as the broader societal impacts. Strengthening interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration will be essential to generate robust, context-sensitive evidence that informs equitable, sustainable and human rights-based health policies.

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