Migrations in Latin America: the corridor to the American dream is a public health problem.

Abstract

Introduction: Migrant movements have tripled, and it is evident throughout the Americas. On the way to North America, people come from South America, the Caribbean, mainly Haiti, Cuba, Asia, and Africa. People migrate for work, study, humanitarian situations, poverty, violence in their territories, lifestyle change, or family reunification.

Objetive: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of most frequent infectious conditions of the population exposed to migratory movement through the Americas.

Materials and methods: The present review focuses on the leading infectious diseases migrants acquired during the arduous journey through the tropical areas. Official migration web sides, journals, and scientific journals were used to get information.

Results: Some infectious diseases have re-emerged in transit countries used by migrants, and the increase in migratory phenomena, triggered cases of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, arbovirosis, Malaria, and hepatitis, among others.

Conclusions: Migrants suffer infectious diseases as they pass the countries to the USA; besides, they suffer violence and even sexual assault. The receiving countries should establish public policies to regularize the access of migrants to health services, which include preventive programs and easily accessible vaccination plans. Some of the pathologies suffered by migrants are preventable, although there are groups of populations in extreme social conditions and with compromised nutritional status. The need to establish a primary medical care center to apply an innovative border and transnational protocols for infectious diseases for migrant populations is highlighted.