Health in Transit: A case study on the migratory trajectories of Haitian populations in Chile and Mexico

Abstract

Current migration journeys often involve crossing several borders, exposing migrants to numerous difficulties and dangers. This article qualitatively describes the migrant trajectories of twenty-five Haitian migrants who intended to travel from Chile to Mexico in an attempt to cross into the United States, delving into the dynamic physical and mental health outcomes at different phases of their journey. Our findings reveal that Haitian participants began their journeys in a context of instability, violence, insecurity, and precariousness from their country of origin, and factors such as stress, sadness, feelings of disappointment, and unfulfilled expectations followed them into their receiving societies. Participants in transit encountered severe health issues, including starvation, sickness, fatigue, exposure to contaminated water, violence, and sexual abuse—all without access to healthcare or medical assistance. Despite these adversities, migrants demonstrated a remarkable ability in surviving the hardships of their journey. The challenging physical and mental health situation faced by Haitian migrants on the move underscores the limitations of current health systems in effectively responding to this reality, and it should be recognized as a critical public health issue. This article focuses on the health challenges faced by Haitian migrants, who currently depend on the support of their community to ensure their well-being and emphasizes the need for policies that recognize the fluidity of migrant trajectories and foster collaboration to address health disparities throughout the migration journey.