Forced Migration and the Spread of Infectious Diseases

Ana María Ibáñez; Sandra V Rozo; María J Urbina

doi:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102491

Forced Migration and the Spread of Infectious Diseases

J Health Econ. 2021 Sep:79:102491. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102491. Epub 2021 Jul 15.

Authors

Ana María Ibáñez¹, Sandra V Rozo², María J Urbina³

Affiliations

¹ Inter-American Development Bank, USA. Electronic address: anaib@iadb.org.
² Development Research Group, The World Bank, IZA, CEGA UC Berkeley, CESR-USC. Electronic address: srozovillarraga@worldbank.org.
³ University of Southern California, USA. Electronic address: mj.urbina2100@gmail.com.

PMID: 34375854
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102491

Abstract

We examine the role of Venezuelan forced migration on the propagation of 15 infectious diseases in Colombia. For this purpose, we use rich municipal-monthly panel data. We exploit the fact that municipalities closer to the main migration entry points have a disproportionate exposure to infected migrants when the cumulative migration flows increase. We find that higher refugee inflows are associated with increments in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as chickenpox and tuberculosis, as well as sexually transmitted diseases, namely syphilis. However, we find no significant effects of migration on the propagation of vector-borne diseases. Contact with infected migrants upon arrival seems to be the main driving mechanism.

Keywords: Forced Migration; Health Outcomes; Infectious Diseases.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Communicable Diseases* / epidemiology
Humans
Refugees*
Sexually Transmitted Diseases*
Syphilis* / epidemiology
Transients and Migrants*