Definitions matter: migrants, immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees

“Migrants can be defined in legal, administrative, research and statistical perspectives. While the term refugee is clear, migrants are a heterogeneous group with a lack of consensus in the definition. This means that the public perception of states being flooded with “migrants” in a world where national borders are disappearing, leads to the humanitarian aspects to migration being diluted. As health professionals clarity around the different migrant groups assists in the manner we undertake work and our advocacy role.”.