Abstract:Background: Greece has often been viewed as a gateway to Europe for many fleeing war and conflict, as it shares borders with Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey by land and shares its coast with Italy, Egypt, and Libya. As of March 2nd, 2025, UNHCR reports 6,205 new migrant arrivals, of which 5,753 arrived by sea on the Aegean islands and 452 arrived on land (UNHCR, 2025). At present, there are 9,054 migrants and refugees living in closed controlled access centers awaiting processing (e.g., camps, government-provided facilities). Of these 9,054 migrants, women and children account for 21% and 37% of the demographic, respectively (UNHCR, 2025). Increased migration has led to overcrowding, creating long standing implications for health/wellness, healthcare delivery/access, and accessibility of local aid. Objectives: The objectives of the proposed study are: 1) Report real-time data on refugee/migrant women’s health and well-being, 2) Identify unmet needs and gaps in available services for refugee/migrant women, 3) Assess the relationship between length of stay in camps and health/well-being, if any, 4) Gain insights from key stakeholders working locally in Greece with refugees and migrants. Methods: A mixed-methods study methodology will be used to better understand the health and well-being of refugee/migrant women living in Greece. Quantitative surveys will help to identify broad trends and patterns, for example, associations between length of stay and health/well-being. Qualitative interviews will explore the current situation for migrants and refugees in Greece and provide contextual insights into healthcare access, safety, and daily living conditions. Implications/Future Benefits: Integration of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies will provide researchers and local community partners a more comprehensive understanding of refugee women’s health and help identify gaps in services, systemic barriers, and illuminate potential opportunities for future health programming. Status: Planned, ethics approval pending.
Keywords: Migration and Health, Greece, migration, refugee health
