On this month’s cover, refugees clash with police as they attempt to cross the border into Macedonia from Greece. The photo, taken last August, depicts a chaotic scene that has become increasingly familiar as large numbers of migrants flee to Europe from the Middle East and Africa. At press time, the International Organization for Migration estimated that more than 832,000 refugees had crossed Europe’s borders by sea since January 2015. Many migrants, including those from Syria, are risking their lives to escape violence, destitution, and displacement caused by civil war.

Health concerns have arisen as Europe struggles to absorb the huge surge of arrivals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overcrowding in receiving facilities has led to unsanitary living conditions and instances of food- and waterborne diseases. But the journey itself also takes a toll: the WHO reports that injuries, burns, and psychological trauma are among the most frequent health problems refugees face. Those with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension find their diseases worsened by the interruption of treatment, and women suffer from pregnancy-related complications and sexual health issues.

As policy makers grapple with responding to the influx, the crisis is likely to remain a key global political and health issue in 2016. To read about this and other top health-related news stories of the past year related to nursing and health […]