The USF College of Public Health (COPH) played a prominent role in the first-ever International Symposium on Migration and Health in the Americas, held Sept. 9-10 at the City of Knowledge in Panama. Led by Dr. Arlene Calvo, the event brought together experts from across the Americas to address the growing intersection of migration and public health, with Panama as a key focal point.
With migration rates surging in recent years, particularly across the dangerous Darien Gap—a tropical jungle that thousands of migrants cross each year in hopes of reaching the U.S.—the symposium aimed to spark crucial discussions about the health impacts of this ongoing crisis.
“We wanted to examine the realities of migration in the Americas and its impact on public health,” said Calvo, a COPH associate professor based in Panama. “Panama has become the epicenter of migration towards the U.S., and the health risks that people face, especially as they cross the Darien Gap, are immense. In 2023 alone, over half a million people, hailing from regions including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and South America, undertook the treacherous journey. Many fell ill, and others lost their lives.”
From left to right: Drs. Arlene Calvo, Ana Rivière Cinnamond, Yoran Grant-Greene, Jean Francois Aguilera and Beatriz Padilla kicking off the two-day symposium. (Photo by Violeta Villar Liste)
The symposium drew 121 registrants, including participants from the U.S., Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Cuba. International agencies, such as the U.S. Embassy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the International Office of Migration (IOM), were key contributors to the event.
The COPH’s own Dr. Caitlin Wolfe, alumna and instructor, presented on her experience conducting health surveillance in refugee camps, and Dr. Beatriz Padilla, director of the USF Institute for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, discussed international migration policies. The event also featured abstract presentations by two COPH doctoral students, Dr. Santiago Hernandez Bojorge and Romina Beltran.
"The symposium exceeded my expectations," Calvo remarked. "The international participation and collaboration were extraordinary. We've already received a lot of positive feedback, and we are building visibility for future projects."
Key sessions focused on understanding the context of migration, with insights from the CDC, IOM and PAHO highlighting the health risks migrants face and the policy responses needed to mitigate these risks.
“It was inspiring to see international organizations come together to address this pressing public health issue,” Calvo said.
In addition to keynote presentations, the symposium featured networking events, where agencies offered support for future collaborations with USF students, including internships and research opportunities.
“This symposium was just the beginning,” Calvo said. "We are now poised to foster deeper collaborations with international agencies, ensuring our students gain practical experience while addressing critical public health issues."
For more information on the symposium, visit Salud Latina’s Instagram page.