Rapid response intervention for assessing health needs in newly arrived migrants in Catalonia: a community-based,...

In recent years, migration to and within the European Union and European Economic Area has increased significantly. In Catalonia, an increasing influx of migrants arriving through unsafe routes has been documented, often exposing them to a higher risk of infectious diseases and other health conditions. This study describes a community-based intervention carried out in Catalonia, Spain, to assess the health needs in newly arrived migrants who entered Europe through its southern border.

Combining rapid clinical screening, tuberculosis (TB)-specific measures and sociocultural integration strategies, this intervention aimed to facilitate healthcare access and prevent the spread of communicable diseases in a vulnerable population.

A total of 262 male migrants, with a median age of 23 years, arrived, predominantly from Mali (55.7%), Mauritania (22.9%) and Senegal (20.2%). During clinical screening, 92 individuals (35%) required medical attention after reporting various symptoms. Remarkably, syndromic screening facilitated the diagnosis and treatment of one malaria case and two schistosomiasis cases. Nine TB awareness workshops were conducted to strengthen prevention efforts and facilitate active TB surveillance.

This experience highlights the necessity of rapid, coordinated and culturally adapted public health responses to ensure equitable healthcare and outbreak prevention.