Human Rights and Inequity in Health Access of Central American Migrants

Migration is a global phenomenon that has occurred for thousands of years. People often migrate to achieve better living conditions for themselves and/or their families, however the conditions in which people migrate can be very different. While some individuals migrate in an orderly way, others may lack the privilege to do so. For Central American migrants, the United States remains the most attractive destination. Economic instability, state corruption, violence, crime and climate change are driving factors for millions of migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras over the past decade. Undocumented Central American migrants can be found to cross one or more countries travelling by foot, in trucks, or by freight train, on a journey of thousands of kilometers where they are exposed to different types of natural hazards such as rain, heat, and animal attacks. In addition, they suffer from different types of physical, mental, psychological, patrimonial, and sexual violence. Central American migrants often lack access to health care in the countries of transit, as well as destination countries.

The objective of this Research Topic is to collect and disseminate publications that address the various aspects of inequity in health, social and legal care of undocumented Central Americans migrating to the United States of America. The Topic Editors are interested in identifying the disparities in health care experienced by Central American migrants during their journey to the United States of America. We welcome publications covering, but not limited to, the following aspects of the Central American migration experience:

• Natural and social hazards Central American migrants are exposed to including adverse weather events, animal attacks, accidents;
• Migrant exposure to physical, psychological, economic, patrimonial and sexual violence;
• Health care for Central American migrants in transit;
• Health care challenges of Central Migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• The disappearance of the public health insurance “Seguro Popular” in Mexico;
• Policy development in support of undocumented Central American migrants.

This knowledge will be useful for decision makers, public policymakers, and those that are interested in the subject.

The Topic Editors welcome Original Research or Literature Reviews that contribute new knowledge to these themes. These investigations should be as recent as possible and include changes in health care for Central American migrants during caravan trips, including the disappearance of Seguro Popular in Mexico and changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of particular interest are papers offering findings of evaluations of policy or program interventions