Background and Objectives

Migrants and ethnic minority populations across Europe continue to face intersecting structural, institutional and legal barriers that negatively affect their health and well-being. These include fragmented care pathways, language and cultural barriers, exclusion from research and knowledge generation, policy design and decision-making processes and limited representation in health data systems. Discrimination and racism—both structural and interpersonal—further exacerbate these inequities, contributing to poorer health outcomes and reduced access to quality care. Addressing these challenges is not only a matter of equity but also essential for the sustainability and resilience of European health and public health systems. Inclusive, responsive, and evidence-informed health policies are critical to reducing disparities and ensuring that no population is left behind.

This pre-conference aims to:

• Explore the impact of structural barriers, with focus on discrimination and racism, on migrant and ethnic minority health outcomes.
• Highlight innovative and emerging research approaches to studying discrimination in health.
• Foster dialogue on policy solutions and strategies for migrant sensitive approaches to health system design.
• Provide practical tools and resources for practitioners and researchers.
• Strengthen collaboration and networking within the European migrant health community.

Format

Welcome and Framing

(5 minutes)
Opening remarks by S. Dias, Section President, setting the scene and outlining key themes and objectives.

Panel Discussion: Addressing Racism and Discrimination in Health Systems – Turning Insight into Impact for Inclusive Policy Making

(75 minutes)
Moderated by the University of the Basque Country, Bilbao.
This session will bring together experts to discuss:

• The impact of racism and discrimination on health services and outcomes
• Emerging methodologies and innovative approaches to researching discrimination in healthcare
• Translating evidence into effective and inclusive health policies

The panel will include short presentations of the latest scientific research, followed by discussion.

Networking Break

(15 minutes)
Coffee/tea break to encourage informal exchanges and connections among participants.

Interactive Session: Building Synergies and Collaboration

(75 minutes)
Moderated by Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada
An interactive and participatory segment focusing on:

• Strengthening collaboration across research, policy, and practice
• Identifying shared priorities and co-create a living repository of collaboration offers and needs for joint work
• Showcasing participants’ work and fostering new partnerships in the landscape of current research, policy, and practice initiatives in Europe

This session will emphasize practical engagement and co-creation.

Conclusions and Wrap-Up

(10 minutes)

Closing reflections by E. Diaz, A. Veizis, and J. Bartovic, summarizing key insights and outlining next steps