Knowledge about the perinatal and reproductive health of international migrants remains limited due to their marginalization in health and social-epidemiological research. We address this gap by analysing the prevalence of self-reported infertility among three migrant generations, migrants from different regions of origin, and comparing it to the majority of third-generation plus in Australia. We examine whether infertility risk differs across these groups and to what extent socio-demographic characteristics account for observed differences. The analysis draws on pooled data from the 2011, 2015, and 2019 waves of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, the waves in which self-reported infertility was assessed. Average prevalence of current infertility is 11.8% among women and 7.5% among men. Multivariable findings from this study align with the healthy migrant hypothesis, which suggests that migrants tend to have a health advantage over the majority population at destination which is driven by selection into migration. Australia’s immigration policy contributes to such selection effects as it favours immigration of skilled and healthy individuals, who likely have a lower risk of infertility. The health advantage of the migrant generations 1 and 1.5 occurs for all origin groups except for migrants from English-speaking countries. This advantage diminishes for the second generation. In light of the high levels of self-reported infertility in this study, results suggest that Australia’s reproductive health policies need to address the specific needs of Australia’s increasingly diverse population.
{"title":"Generational changes in self-reported infertility among migrants in Australia","authors":"Jasmin Passet-Wittig , Ester Lazzari , Nadja Milewski","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100385","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100385","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Knowledge about the perinatal and reproductive health of international migrants remains limited due to their marginalization in health and social-epidemiological research. We address this gap by analysing the prevalence of self-reported infertility among three migrant generations, migrants from different regions of origin, and comparing it to the majority of third-generation plus in Australia. We examine whether infertility risk differs across these groups and to what extent socio-demographic characteristics account for observed differences. The analysis draws on pooled data from the 2011, 2015, and 2019 waves of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, the waves in which self-reported infertility was assessed. Average prevalence of current infertility is 11.8% among women and 7.5% among men. Multivariable findings from this study align with the healthy migrant hypothesis, which suggests that migrants tend to have a health advantage over the majority population at destination which is driven by selection into migration. Australia’s immigration policy contributes to such selection effects as it favours immigration of skilled and healthy individuals, who likely have a lower risk of infertility. The health advantage of the migrant generations 1 and 1.5 occurs for all origin groups except for migrants from English-speaking countries. This advantage diminishes for the second generation. In light of the high levels of self-reported infertility in this study, results suggest that Australia’s reproductive health policies need to address the specific needs of Australia’s increasingly diverse population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100385"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100388
Ludovica Alesci , Igor Francetic
Introduction:
Differences in Emergency Department (ED) utilization between immigrant and native populations may reflect inequalities in health status and access to care. This study compares ED use between Swiss natives and first- and second-generation immigrants in Switzerland.
Methods:
We used pooled data from the Swiss Health Survey 2017 and 2022 (N = 16,183). Logistic regression models were estimated and reported as average marginal effects (AMEs). Models were progressively adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health behaviors, and healthcare-use variables.
Results:
In unadjusted models, first-generation immigrants showed a higher probability of ED use (AME = 0.025, SE = 0.004, ; 95% CI: 0.017–0.033), but this association disappeared after adjusting for health status (AME = 0.007, SE = 0.006, p = 0.25). For second-generation immigrants, the association remained significant after adjustments (Main model: AME = 0.030, SE = 0.010, p = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.011–0.049) and slightly attenuated when accounting for healthcare-use patterns (AME = 0.022, SE = 0.011, p = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.000–0.042). An alternative analysis based on Oaxaca–Blinder decompositions confirmed that differences between Swiss natives and first-generation immigrants are mainly explained by health status, whereas differences with second-generation immigrants remain largely unexplained.
Conclusions:
First-generation immigrants do not differ from Swiss natives in ED use once differences in health status are taken into account. Second-generation immigrants (particularly women and individuals from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe) exhibit a persistently higher probability of ED use, partly explained by higher engagement with other healthcare services. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve equitable access and continuity of care among immigrant populations.
简介：移民和本地人口在急诊科（ED）使用率上的差异可能反映了健康状况和获得护理的不平等。本研究比较了瑞士本地人和第一代和第二代移民在瑞士的ED使用情况。方法：我们使用2017年和2022年瑞士健康调查的汇总数据（N = 16,183）。逻辑回归模型估计并报告为平均边际效应（AMEs）。根据社会人口特征、健康状况、健康行为和医疗保健使用变量逐步调整模型。结果：在未调整的模型中，第一代移民使用ED的概率更高（AME = 0.025, SE = 0.004, p<0.001; 95% CI: 0.017-0.033），但在调整健康状况后，这种关联消失（AME = 0.007, SE = 0.006, p = 0.25）。对于第二代移民，调整后的相关性仍然显著（主要模型：AME = 0.030, SE = 0.010, p = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.011 - 0.049），考虑到医疗保健使用模式时，相关性略有减弱（AME = 0.022, SE = 0.011, p = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.000-0.042）。另一项基于瓦哈卡-布林德分解的分析证实，瑞士本地人与第一代移民之间的差异主要由健康状况来解释，而与第二代移民之间的差异在很大程度上仍无法解释。结论：一旦考虑到健康状况的差异，第一代移民与瑞士本地人在使用ED方面没有差异。第二代移民（特别是来自东欧和东南欧的女性和个人）使用ED的可能性持续较高，部分原因是与其他医疗保健服务的接触较多。这些发现突出表明，有必要采取有针对性的干预措施，以改善移民人口的公平获取和护理的连续性。
{"title":"Emergency Department utilization in Switzerland: Comparing Swiss natives with first- and second-generation immigrants","authors":"Ludovica Alesci , Igor Francetic","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100388","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction:</h3><div>Differences in Emergency Department (ED) utilization between immigrant and native populations may reflect inequalities in health status and access to care. This study compares ED use between Swiss natives and first- and second-generation immigrants in Switzerland.</div></div><div><h3>Methods:</h3><div>We used pooled data from the Swiss Health Survey 2017 and 2022 (N = 16,183). Logistic regression models were estimated and reported as average marginal effects (AMEs). Models were progressively adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health behaviors, and healthcare-use variables.</div></div><div><h3>Results:</h3><div>In unadjusted models, first-generation immigrants showed a higher probability of ED use (AME = 0.025, SE = 0.004, <span><math><mrow><mi>p</mi><mo><</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>001</mn></mrow></math></span>; 95% CI: 0.017–0.033), but this association disappeared after adjusting for health status (AME = 0.007, SE = 0.006, p = 0.25). For second-generation immigrants, the association remained significant after adjustments (Main model: AME = 0.030, SE = 0.010, p = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.011–0.049) and slightly attenuated when accounting for healthcare-use patterns (AME = 0.022, SE = 0.011, p = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.000–0.042). An alternative analysis based on Oaxaca–Blinder decompositions confirmed that differences between Swiss natives and first-generation immigrants are mainly explained by health status, whereas differences with second-generation immigrants remain largely unexplained.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions:</h3><div>First-generation immigrants do not differ from Swiss natives in ED use once differences in health status are taken into account. Second-generation immigrants (particularly women and individuals from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe) exhibit a persistently higher probability of ED use, partly explained by higher engagement with other healthcare services. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve equitable access and continuity of care among immigrant populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100388"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100397
Heiko Becher , Nadia Obi , Tilman Brand , Hermann Brenner , Laura Buschmann , Renée T. Fortner , Karin Halina Greiser , Volker Harth , Wolfgang Hoffmann , André Karch , Thomas Keil , Alexander Kluttig , Lilian Krist , Michael Leitzmann , Andy Maun , Rafael Mikolajczyk , Katharina Nimptsch , Tobias Pischon , Sabine Schipf , Börge Schmidt , Christian Wiessner
Background
For early detection of breast cancer, clinical palpation of the breast is offered yearly to all women aged 30 and older, and the German Mammography Screening Programme (MSP) offers biennial mammograms to all women aged 50 to 75 years. We investigated the utilization of both screening methods across various migrant groups in Germany, as well as the effect of German language proficiency.
Methods
Cross-sectional data on participation frequencies from the baseline examination (2014 to 2019) of more than 100,000 women of the German National Cohort study (NAKO) were analysed by migrant status. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted for palpation and MSP to compare screening uptake among six migrant groups, and non-migrant population.
Results
Palpation of the breast was less frequently utilized in all migrant groups with odds ratios ranging from 0.5 (95% CI 0.4–0.6) for Turkish women to 0.9 for women from western countries (95% CI 0.7–1.1) compared to autochthone Germans. Lower German language proficiency further decreases its use. In contrast, odds ratios for MSP participation did not differ substantially compared to Germans ranging from 0.8 to 1.2. German language proficiency had little effect on MSP participation.
Discussion
In contrast to earlier studies, our findings suggest that MSP participation and motivation does not significantly differ by migration status or language skills. This may indicate that information on MSP is broadly accessible through established invitation procedures in Germany. However, lower uptake of breast palpation by a physician in some migrant populations highlights potential gaps in broader preventive care engagement.
背景：为了早期发现乳腺癌，所有30岁及以上的妇女每年都要进行乳房临床触诊，德国乳房x光检查计划（MSP）为所有50至75岁的妇女提供两年一次的乳房x光检查。我们调查了两种筛查方法在德国不同移民群体中的使用情况，以及德语熟练程度的影响。方法根据移民身份分析德国国家队列研究（NAKO）中10万多名女性基线检查（2014年至2019年）参与频率的横断面数据。对触诊和MSP进行调整后的logistic回归分析，比较6个移民群体和非移民群体的筛查情况。结果与本土德国人相比，所有移民群体中乳房穿刺的使用频率较低，土耳其妇女的优势比为0.5 (95% CI 0.4-0.6)，西方国家妇女的优势比为0.9 （95% CI 0.7-1.1）。较低的德语水平进一步减少了它的使用。相比之下，与德国人相比，参加MSP的优势比没有太大差异，在0.8到1.2之间。德语熟练程度对MSP参与影响不大。与早期的研究相反，我们的研究结果表明，MSP的参与和动机并没有因移民身份或语言技能而显著差异。这可能表明，通过德国既定的邀请程序，可以广泛获取有关MSP的信息。然而，在一些流动人口中，医生对乳房触诊的接受程度较低，这凸显了在更广泛的预防保健参与方面的潜在差距。
{"title":"Participation behaviour of different migrant groups in breast cancer screening – palpation of the breast and mammography. Results from the German national cohort (NAKO)","authors":"Heiko Becher , Nadia Obi , Tilman Brand , Hermann Brenner , Laura Buschmann , Renée T. Fortner , Karin Halina Greiser , Volker Harth , Wolfgang Hoffmann , André Karch , Thomas Keil , Alexander Kluttig , Lilian Krist , Michael Leitzmann , Andy Maun , Rafael Mikolajczyk , Katharina Nimptsch , Tobias Pischon , Sabine Schipf , Börge Schmidt , Christian Wiessner","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100397","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100397","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>For early detection of breast cancer, clinical palpation of the breast is offered yearly to all women aged 30 and older, and the German Mammography Screening Programme (MSP) offers biennial mammograms to all women aged 50 to 75 years. We investigated the utilization of both screening methods across various migrant groups in Germany, as well as the effect of German language proficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cross-sectional data on participation frequencies from the baseline examination (2014 to 2019) of more than 100,000 women of the German National Cohort study (NAKO) were analysed by migrant status. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted for palpation and MSP to compare screening uptake among six migrant groups, and non-migrant population.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Palpation of the breast was less frequently utilized in all migrant groups with odds ratios ranging from 0.5 (95% CI 0.4–0.6) for Turkish women to 0.9 for women from western countries (95% CI 0.7–1.1) compared to autochthone Germans. Lower German language proficiency further decreases its use. In contrast, odds ratios for MSP participation did not differ substantially compared to Germans ranging from 0.8 to 1.2. German language proficiency had little effect on MSP participation.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>In contrast to earlier studies, our findings suggest that MSP participation and motivation does not significantly differ by migration status or language skills. This may indicate that information on MSP is broadly accessible through established invitation procedures in Germany. However, lower uptake of breast palpation by a physician in some migrant populations highlights potential gaps in broader preventive care engagement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100397"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100396
Susann Thyson , Kai G. Kahl , Maika Werminghaus , Thomas Klenzner
Objective
This study aims to assess and compare the quality of life (QoL) and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of patients with cochlear implants (PwCI) and with or without a migration background (MB). It examines whether language proficiency and length of residence influence QoL and HrQoL outcomes in PwCI with a MB.
Methods
Data from n = 82 PwCI were collected. QoL and HrQoL were measured using WHOQOL-BREF and Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), while CEFR assessed language proficiency.
Results
PwCI with a MB had significantly lower WHOQOL-BREF global scores (Mdn = 62.50 / IQR = 25.00) than PmCI without a MB (Mdn = 75.00 / IQR = 25.00; U = 548.000, Z = -2.779, p = .005, r = 0.309). Similarly, NCIQ total scores were lower in PwCI with a MB (Mdn = 59.34, IQR = 21.53) than in controls (Mdn = 64.17, IQR = 19.98; U = 623.000, Z = –2.017, p = .044, r = 0.222). The language proficiency of PwCI with a MB in their second language, German, showed no correlation with the global score of the WHOQOL-BREF (Spearman's ρ = 0.240, p = .130). The language proficiency in German as a second language of PwCI with a MB shows a strong correlation with the total score on the NCIQ (Spearman's ρ = 0.428, p = .005), while length of residence showed no significant correlations.
Discussion
PwCI with a MB tended to have lower QoL and HrQoL, potentially due to factors such as language barriers, and limited healthcare access. Language proficiency appeared to play a role, while length of residence showed no clear effect. Addressing linguistic and cultural barriers, could help improve healthcare access. Enhancing communication and support may facilitate greater participation in rehabilitation and treatment adherence, potentially leading to better QoL and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
目的评估和比较人工耳蜗植入（PwCI）患者和有或没有迁移背景（MB）患者的生活质量（QoL）和健康相关生活质量（HrQoL）。目的探讨语言水平和居住时间是否影响患有mb的PwCI患者的生活质量和HrQoL。采用WHOQOL-BREF和Nijmegen人工耳蜗问卷（NCIQ）测量QoL和HrQoL， CEFR评估语言能力。结果合并MB的spwci的WHOQOL-BREF整体评分（Mdn = 62.50 / IQR = 25.00）明显低于未合并MB的PmCI （Mdn = 75.00 / IQR = 25.00; U = 548000, Z = -2.779, p = 0.005, r = 0.309）。同样，患有MB的PwCI患者NCIQ总分（Mdn = 59.34, IQR = 21.53）低于对照组（Mdn = 64.17, IQR = 19.98; U = 623.000, Z = -2.017, p = 0.044, r = 0.222）。具有第二语言（德语）学士学位的PwCI的语言能力与WHOQOL-BREF总体得分无相关性（Spearman ρ = 0.240, p = 0.130）。德语作为第二语言的熟练程度与NCIQ总分有很强的相关性（Spearman’s ρ = 0.428, p = 0.005），而居住时间无显著相关性。有MB的pwci患者往往有较低的生活质量和HrQoL，可能是由于语言障碍和有限的医疗保健机会等因素。语言能力似乎起了一定的作用，而居住时间的长短则没有明显的影响。解决语言和文化障碍有助于改善医疗保健服务。加强沟通和支持可能有助于更多地参与康复和治疗依从性，从而可能导致更好的生活质量和更有效地利用医疗保健资源。
{"title":"Challenges in cochlear implant care for patients with migration backgrounds: Evaluating (Hr)QoL","authors":"Susann Thyson , Kai G. Kahl , Maika Werminghaus , Thomas Klenzner","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100396","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100396","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to assess and compare the quality of life (QoL) and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of patients with cochlear implants (PwCI) and with or without a migration background (MB). It examines whether language proficiency and length of residence influence QoL and HrQoL outcomes in PwCI with a MB.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data from <em>n</em> = 82 PwCI were collected. QoL and HrQoL were measured using WHOQOL-BREF and Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), while CEFR assessed language proficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>PwCI with a MB had significantly lower WHOQOL-BREF global scores (Mdn = 62.50 / IQR = 25.00) than PmCI without a MB (Mdn = 75.00 / IQR = 25.00; <em>U</em> = 548.000, <em>Z</em> = -2.779, <em>p</em> = .005, <em>r</em> = 0.309). Similarly, NCIQ total scores were lower in PwCI with a MB (Mdn = 59.34, IQR = 21.53) than in controls (Mdn = 64.17, IQR = 19.98; <em>U</em> = 623.000, <em>Z</em> = –2.017, <em>p</em> = .044, <em>r</em> = 0.222). The language proficiency of PwCI with a MB in their second language, German, showed no correlation with the global score of the WHOQOL-BREF (Spearman's ρ = 0.240, <em>p</em> = .130). The language proficiency in German as a second language of PwCI with a MB shows a strong correlation with the total score on the NCIQ (Spearman's ρ = 0.428, <em>p</em> = .005), while length of residence showed no significant correlations.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>PwCI with a MB tended to have lower QoL and HrQoL, potentially due to factors such as language barriers, and limited healthcare access. Language proficiency appeared to play a role, while length of residence showed no clear effect. Addressing linguistic and cultural barriers, could help improve healthcare access. Enhancing communication and support may facilitate greater participation in rehabilitation and treatment adherence, potentially leading to better QoL and more efficient use of healthcare resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100396"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100390
Zeus Aranda , Ana Cristina Sedas , Daniel Bernal , José Pulido-Manzanero , Enrique Regidor , Anna M. Mandalakas , Karla Fredricks
The passage of north-bound migrants through Mexico has increased dramatically in the last decade, with an increasing proportion of minors. However, there is still little evidence on the health status and living conditions of migrant minors in transit through Mexico. The aim of this study was to better characterize the evolution of health status and its contributing factors in this population from the place of origin to the period of travel. We conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods study with migrant caregivers staying with minors in shelters in northern Mexico. Quantitative data were collected through surveys using validated tools to assess minors’ well-being and health-related social needs and were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Qualitative data were obtained through focus groups using a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed through thematic analysis. Information was collected on 200 minors between July and September 2024. Caregivers reported precarious and unsafe living conditions at origin and along the journey, as well as a series of barriers to accessing health services. Deterioration in the mental and physical health of minors was observed between the pre-departure and travel periods. Our study illuminates adversities faced by migrant children and adolescents in Latin America along the migratory journey and emphasizes the impact of these adversities on their well-being. There remains a need to continue supporting the implementation of interventions that contribute to the well-being of minors in transit in the region.
{"title":"Health status and living conditions of north-bound migrant minors in Mexico at place of origin and during the migration journey: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study","authors":"Zeus Aranda , Ana Cristina Sedas , Daniel Bernal , José Pulido-Manzanero , Enrique Regidor , Anna M. Mandalakas , Karla Fredricks","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100390","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100390","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The passage of north-bound migrants through Mexico has increased dramatically in the last decade, with an increasing proportion of minors. However, there is still little evidence on the health status and living conditions of migrant minors in transit through Mexico. The aim of this study was to better characterize the evolution of health status and its contributing factors in this population from the place of origin to the period of travel. We conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods study with migrant caregivers staying with minors in shelters in northern Mexico. Quantitative data were collected through surveys using validated tools to assess minors’ well-being and health-related social needs and were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Qualitative data were obtained through focus groups using a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed through thematic analysis. Information was collected on 200 minors between July and September 2024. Caregivers reported precarious and unsafe living conditions at origin and along the journey, as well as a series of barriers to accessing health services. Deterioration in the mental and physical health of minors was observed between the pre-departure and travel periods. Our study illuminates adversities faced by migrant children and adolescents in Latin America along the migratory journey and emphasizes the impact of these adversities on their well-being. There remains a need to continue supporting the implementation of interventions that contribute to the well-being of minors in transit in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100390"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100395
Vidya Gopinadhan , Tee Wen Li , Vanja Kovacic , Cecilio Tang , Norman Sitali
Background
Migrants in transit face numerous health challenges which are further exacerbated by barriers to accessing healthcare. Understanding these barriers is essential for designing effective health interventions and policies that ensure equitable healthcare access for this population. This scoping review aims to investigate the barriers and the existing health policies that complicate healthcare access for migrants in transit and to recommend alternatives to improve access.
Methods
This review scoped 26 papers between 2011 and June 2024, including grey literature, using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The databases searched included Medline, Migration Research Hub, Science Direct, Biomed Central, OECD, and third-sector websites. Results were thematically coded using inductive and deductive analysis.
Results
16 peer-reviewed articles and 11 grey literature reports were included in this review. 69% of research was centred in the low- and middle-income European countries, and 80% of primary research focused on healthcare provider and civil organization perspectives. 46% of the studies directly analysed the barriers to healthcare, which were categorized into dimensions of acceptability, availability, affordability and accessibility. Only 23% of articles discussed policies and potential solutions, but there were no studies evaluating implementation of these policies or solutions.
Conclusion
Despite the growing body of literature on migrant health, significant gaps remain in understanding the extent of healthcare challenges faced by migrants in transit. Future research is needed to inform policy, practice, and the development of more effective healthcare systems for migrants in transit.
过境移徙者面临许多健康挑战，获得医疗保健方面的障碍进一步加剧了这些挑战。了解这些障碍对于设计有效的卫生干预措施和政策，确保这一人群公平获得卫生保健至关重要。这项范围审查的目的是调查使过境移徙者获得医疗保健复杂化的障碍和现有卫生政策，并建议改善获得医疗保健的替代办法。方法采用Arksey和O 'Malley框架和PRISMA-ScR检查表，纳入2011年至2024年6月期间的26篇论文，包括灰色文献。检索的数据库包括Medline、Migration Research Hub、Science Direct、Biomed Central、OECD和第三部门网站。使用归纳和演绎分析对结果进行主题编码。结果共纳入同行评议文章16篇，灰色文献报告11篇。69%的研究集中在低收入和中等收入的欧洲国家，80%的初级研究侧重于医疗保健提供者和民间组织的观点。46%的研究直接分析了医疗保健的障碍，这些障碍分为可接受性、可获得性、可负担性和可及性四个维度。只有23%的文章讨论了政策和潜在的解决方案，但没有研究评估这些政策或解决方案的实施情况。结论尽管关于移民健康的文献越来越多，但在了解过境移民面临的医疗挑战程度方面仍存在重大差距。未来的研究需要为过境移民的政策、实践和更有效的医疗保健系统的发展提供信息。
{"title":"Challenges to healthcare access for migrants in transit: A scoping review","authors":"Vidya Gopinadhan , Tee Wen Li , Vanja Kovacic , Cecilio Tang , Norman Sitali","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100395","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100395","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Migrants in transit face numerous health challenges which are further exacerbated by barriers to accessing healthcare. Understanding these barriers is essential for designing effective health interventions and policies that ensure equitable healthcare access for this population. This scoping review aims to investigate the barriers and the existing health policies that complicate healthcare access for migrants in transit and to recommend alternatives to improve access.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This review scoped 26 papers between 2011 and June 2024, including grey literature, using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The databases searched included Medline, Migration Research Hub, Science Direct, Biomed Central, OECD, and third-sector websites. Results were thematically coded using inductive and deductive analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>16 peer-reviewed articles and 11 grey literature reports were included in this review. 69% of research was centred in the low- and middle-income European countries, and 80% of primary research focused on healthcare provider and civil organization perspectives. 46% of the studies directly analysed the barriers to healthcare, which were categorized into dimensions of acceptability, availability, affordability and accessibility. Only 23% of articles discussed policies and potential solutions, but there were no studies evaluating implementation of these policies or solutions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Despite the growing body of literature on migrant health, significant gaps remain in understanding the extent of healthcare challenges faced by migrants in transit. Future research is needed to inform policy, practice, and the development of more effective healthcare systems for migrants in transit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100395"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100384
Joseph Lam , Aaron Koay , Mario Cortina-Borja , Robert Aldridge , Ruth Blackburn , Katie Harron
Traditionally, research has relied on broad ethnic categories such as "Asian," "Black," "White," "Mixed," and "Other." These categories often mask significant variations in experiences and outcomes among ethnic subgroups. The Intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA) approach has become an increasingly recognised quantitative method to study intersectional health inequities. There is a need for better understanding of how the granularity with which ethnicity is measured impacts the interpretation of I-MAIHDA. We used the Evidence from Equality National Survey: A Survey of Ethnic Minorities During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2021 (EVENS) study, a cross-sectional survey conducted between February and November 2021, including 14,221 individuals with 21 ethnic categories. We constructed intersectional social strata using sex, age, ethnicity and UK nationality. We compared models using 21-category and 5-category ethnicity on describing predicted lifetime experience of racism. Overall, 65% of participants reported experiencing racism in their lifetime. The 5-category model has a higher interaction effect compared to 21-caterogy model due to artefacts from coarse ethnic categorisation. While the interaction effects in 21-category model are smaller, they are potentially more meaningful. The 21-cateogory models revealed significant variations within coarse ethnic groups, showing that individuals from Black Caribbean, African and mixed backgrounds had a higher likelihood of experiencing racism, regardless of UK nationality. The 5-category model failed to attribute the protective effect of not being UK nationality to lower predicted experience of racism in White other backgrounds. Our study demonstrates that using more granular ethnicity categories can lead to more accurate and specific insights in characterising inequities when applying quantitative intersectional approaches, over and above coarse ethnicity groupings used in I-MAIHDA or traditional non-interactive models.
{"title":"Intersectional relationships between age, sex, ethnicity, nationality and experience of racism in the UK using different ethnicity categorisations: A comparative study using survey data","authors":"Joseph Lam , Aaron Koay , Mario Cortina-Borja , Robert Aldridge , Ruth Blackburn , Katie Harron","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100384","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100384","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Traditionally, research has relied on broad ethnic categories such as \"Asian,\" \"Black,\" \"White,\" \"Mixed,\" and \"Other.\" These categories often mask significant variations in experiences and outcomes among ethnic subgroups. The Intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA) approach has become an increasingly recognised quantitative method to study intersectional health inequities. There is a need for better understanding of how the granularity with which ethnicity is measured impacts the interpretation of I-MAIHDA. We used the Evidence from Equality National Survey: A Survey of Ethnic Minorities During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2021 (EVENS) study, a cross-sectional survey conducted between February and November 2021, including 14,221 individuals with 21 ethnic categories. We constructed intersectional social strata using sex, age, ethnicity and UK nationality. We compared models using 21-category and 5-category ethnicity on describing predicted lifetime experience of racism. Overall, 65% of participants reported experiencing racism in their lifetime. The 5-category model has a higher interaction effect compared to 21-caterogy model due to artefacts from coarse ethnic categorisation. While the interaction effects in 21-category model are smaller, they are potentially more meaningful. The 21-cateogory models revealed significant variations within coarse ethnic groups, showing that individuals from Black Caribbean, African and mixed backgrounds had a higher likelihood of experiencing racism, regardless of UK nationality. The 5-category model failed to attribute the protective effect of not being UK nationality to lower predicted experience of racism in White other backgrounds. Our study demonstrates that using more granular ethnicity categories can lead to more accurate and specific insights in characterising inequities when applying quantitative intersectional approaches, over and above coarse ethnicity groupings used in I-MAIHDA or traditional non-interactive models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100384"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145749686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100386
Maria Vaalavuo, Tuukka Holster, Natalia Skogberg, Heidi Kuusinen
The aim of this study is to analyse 1) how average health care costs differ between newly arrived immigrants and natives in Finland, 2) whether the costs of immigrants converge to the level of natives over time, and 3) how other factors of integration are associated with convergence in health care use. We use individual-level register data on total working-age (18–64) population living in Finland between 2008 and 2017 combined with their health care use in public specialized health care. We focus on immigrants who arrived in Finland between 2008–2010. To illustrate trajectories in health care costs, we employ growth curve models. Our results show that immigrants have lower health care costs compared to natives: on average native costs are 1.6 times higher than those of immigrants. Moreover, they do not converge to the native level over a 7-years observation period. This finding of little convergence over time holds also among immigrants who have more local social, cultural, and economic capital, although the native-immigrant gap is narrower among more integrated immigrants. Notably, the costs differ remarkably between different immigrant groups and by other factors. Information on these differences is crucial for assessing equity in the distribution of health care. In addition to better health among immigrants, lower health care use among immigrants may indicate, for example, different approaches to health care use or unmet needs due to barriers to accessing health care services. To make informed policy decisions, future research is needed to uncover the factors behind the lower health care use among immigrants and whether this affects health outcomes and health inequality.
{"title":"Health care use as an aspect of immigrant integration? An analysis of health care cost convergence among new immigrants and natives in Finland","authors":"Maria Vaalavuo, Tuukka Holster, Natalia Skogberg, Heidi Kuusinen","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100386","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100386","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study is to analyse 1) how average health care costs differ between newly arrived immigrants and natives in Finland, 2) whether the costs of immigrants converge to the level of natives over time, and 3) how other factors of integration are associated with convergence in health care use. We use individual-level register data on total working-age (18–64) population living in Finland between 2008 and 2017 combined with their health care use in public specialized health care. We focus on immigrants who arrived in Finland between 2008–2010. To illustrate trajectories in health care costs, we employ growth curve models. Our results show that immigrants have lower health care costs compared to natives: on average native costs are 1.6 times higher than those of immigrants. Moreover, they do not converge to the native level over a 7-years observation period. This finding of little convergence over time holds also among immigrants who have more local social, cultural, and economic capital, although the native-immigrant gap is narrower among more integrated immigrants. Notably, the costs differ remarkably between different immigrant groups and by other factors. Information on these differences is crucial for assessing equity in the distribution of health care. In addition to better health among immigrants, lower health care use among immigrants may indicate, for example, different approaches to health care use or unmet needs due to barriers to accessing health care services. To make informed policy decisions, future research is needed to uncover the factors behind the lower health care use among immigrants and whether this affects health outcomes and health inequality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100386"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145798339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100382
Imen El Amouri, Tihomir Sabchev
This article reviews research on the causal impact of Western governments’ laws and policies on the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees. The systematic-narrative hybrid literature review yielded 34 studies using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches, focusing almost exclusively on restrictive and deterrence-oriented measures. The synthesis shows that, over the last two decades, Western governments’ laws and policies around detention, access to basic rights, asylum procedure, and reception have had a substantial and almost exclusively negative impact on the mental health of protection seekers. Based on our findings, we urge legislators and policymakers to consider the long-term consequences and costs of the laws and policies they introduce, within and beyond the realm of mental health. In addition, we highlight the need for more research on governmental measures that are likely to have a positive impact on the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees.
{"title":"What has been the impact of western governments’ laws and policies on the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees? A systematic-narrative hybrid literature review","authors":"Imen El Amouri, Tihomir Sabchev","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100382","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100382","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article reviews research on the causal impact of Western governments’ laws and policies on the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees. The systematic-narrative hybrid literature review yielded 34 studies using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches, focusing almost exclusively on restrictive and deterrence-oriented measures. The synthesis shows that, over the last two decades, Western governments’ laws and policies around detention, access to basic rights, asylum procedure, and reception have had a substantial and almost exclusively negative impact on the mental health of protection seekers. Based on our findings, we urge legislators and policymakers to consider the long-term consequences and costs of the laws and policies they introduce, within and beyond the realm of mental health. In addition, we highlight the need for more research on governmental measures that are likely to have a positive impact on the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100382"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145798338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100381
David Spenger, Stefan Kordel, Lukas Schorner
Addressing the research desideratum of health status and practices of refugees in the settlement phase as well as rural specificities in dealing with health issues, this article explores refugees’ self-reported health status as well as experiences with health infrastructure. Following a salutogenic approach to health, we consider both disease prevention and health promotion and explicitly take into account leisure practices as a way to acquire health resources. Results firstly show a persistence of self-reported diseases and manifold interactions with the settlement process, e.g. housing or language acquisition. Secondly, we found that refugees are looking for (new) leisure activities at the place of living, which allow to gain sovereignty about everyday lives and thus improve their health status. Based on our results, we suggest to take up post-medicinal and life-course approaches in future research designs for a more profound understanding of migrant health.
{"title":"Acquiring health resources during settlement in rural areas? Refugees' experiences of health infrastructure and leisure practices in Germany","authors":"David Spenger, Stefan Kordel, Lukas Schorner","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100381","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100381","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Addressing the research desideratum of health status and practices of refugees in the settlement phase as well as rural specificities in dealing with health issues, this article explores refugees’ self-reported health status as well as experiences with health infrastructure. Following a salutogenic approach to health, we consider both disease prevention and health promotion and explicitly take into account leisure practices as a way to acquire health resources. Results firstly show a persistence of self-reported diseases and manifold interactions with the settlement process, e.g. housing or language acquisition. Secondly, we found that refugees are looking for (new) leisure activities at the place of living, which allow to gain sovereignty about everyday lives and thus improve their health status. Based on our results, we suggest to take up post-medicinal and life-course approaches in future research designs for a more profound understanding of migrant health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100381"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145749685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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