Community-based interventions to improve the health of migrant children in high-income countries

Abstract

Background: Migrant children, including those exposed to migration in utero, face structural barriers to health and social inclusion in high-income countries (HICs). Despite their heightened vulnerability, evidence on effective interventions to improve their health remains limited. Objective: To synthesise experimental and quasi-experimental evidence on community-based interventions aiming to improve health outcomes for migrant children in HICs. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Maternity & Infant Care Database, Global Health, and EconLit from inception to June 2025. Eligible studies evaluated interventions targeting migrant children—including those exposed during gestation—in HICs, used experimental or quasi-experimental designs, and reported any health-related outcome. Studies were excluded if they focused on narrow migrant populations (e.g. refugees), specific interventions (e.g. vaccination), institutional settings, or interventions not adapted for migrants. A narrative synthesis was conducted, supported by harvest plots to aid visualisation. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I and RoB 2 tools. The review was registered in PROSPERO (registration number blinded for review). Results: Twenty-six studies met inclusion criteria. Eight evaluated large-scale Medicaid health coverage expansions, eight assessed local school-based interventions, and ten focused on other community-based interventions—two national programmes in Sweden and Denmark, and eight local initiatives across Europe and the US. Health coverage expansions improved access to prenatal and child healthcare and, in some cases, birth outcomes. Evidence on interventions addressing behaviours, obesity, and mental health was limited or mixed, often due to small samples and short follow-up. Conclusion: Coverage expansions improve migrant child health. Scalable, tailored interventions with longer follow-up are needed.