Where was my patient born? The Intersection of tropical medicine and migrant health

Cesar G. Berto, Christina M. Coyle, Lianna Friedman, Patricia F. Walker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of reviewThere is unprecedented movement of people across international borders and parasitic infections, previously restricted to endemic regions, are now encountered in nonendemic areas of the world.Recent findingsMigrants may import parasitic infections acquired in their countries of origin. Increasingly, clinicians in nonendemic regions are faced with patients with neglected diseases such as Chagas disease, malaria and strongyloidiasis. There are gaps in knowledge among physicians in nonendemic regions, which lead to missed opportunities for preventive strategies and early treatment. Both primary care and infectious disease physicians should have a broad knowledge of common parasitic infections to improve health outcomes and decrease healthcare disparities through early identification and treatment of disease encountered in migrants.SummaryMigrant health is still a young field in medicine; clinicians should be aware of diseases seen in migrants, and access both educational and clinical resources, including experts in tropical medicine, in order to reduce health disparities among migrants. Collaboration between primary care and infectious disease/tropical medicine experts should be strengthened.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)447-454
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Opinion in Infectious Diseases
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2021

Keywords

  • Chagas disease
  • Strongyloidiasis
  • malaria
  • migrant health
  • tropical medicine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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