Promoting the health of children and young people who migrate: reflections from four regional reviews

Abstract

Calls to enhance the health of migrant population sub-groups are strengthening, with increasing evidence documenting the relationship between migration and health outcomes. Despite the importance of migration to global health promotion, little research has focused on the health experiences of young migrants. As part of a Worldwide University Network project, we completed four systematic reviews examining the existing evidence base on the health experiences of children and young people who migrate. In this commentary, we share commonalities with the international evidence but also reflect on some of the challenges, omissions and limitations. These insights expose significant gaps and methodological shortcomings in the evidence – providing space for new research that seeks to identify the influences on migrant children’s health.

Assessing Quality of Life in First- and Second-Generation Immigrant Children and Adolescents; Highlights from the DIATROFI Food Aid and Healthy Nutrition Promotion Program

“…This study is unique due to its focus on young immigrant children over two generations. The vast majority of immigrant health studies predominantly examine adult or teenage individuals, with little focus on young children in early school systems [40]. Additionally, while first-generation migrants are well studied, immigration's health effects are poorly characterized in second-generation immigrant children.…”

The Health Experiences of Young Internal Migrants in Ghana—Identifying Priorities for Sustainable Health Promotion

“…The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underscore the importance of migration to the achievement of health and social equity (e.g., Goals 1–6, 8, 10 and 16 [ 1 ]). Despite such recognition, very little work has focused on the vulnerabilities and inequities experienced by children and young people (below the age of 24 years) who migrate (both internally and across national borders)—and crucially, from their own perspectives; [ 2 , 3 , 4 ] including how migration decisions and journeys shape opportunities for positive health and social inclusion. Even less work has focused on the opportunities for health promotion with migrant groups or indeed explored the health-enhancing or hindering practices that young migrants engage with in their everyday lives (some exceptions include [ 5 , 6 ]).…”

“…Accurate data about the health status of young migrants are often fragmented and difficult to decipher, with little research taking an explicit focus on the health of children and young people who migrate, particularly in Western Africa [ 2 , 3 ] (we discuss some exceptions shortly). We have documented elsewhere some of the challenges linked to establishing the health of migrant children and young people [ 2 , 3 ], often because young people’s health and migration status are conflated with that of adults (most notably parents), [ 2 , 4 , 16 ], but also because of the difficulties tied to establishing migrant children and young people’s exact ages [ 2 , 4 ]. Evidence that does exist highlights how young migrants (both internal and international migrants) are especially vulnerable to poorer health outcomes including declining mental health, as well as increased exposure to health risk factors (e.g., poverty, malnutrition, discrimination, violence).…”