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Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues
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Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 19204

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Farah Ahmad

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Interests: immigrant/refugee/racialized health; primary care; eHealth; mental health; partner violence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The significance of migration has gained international recognition in the last few years. For example, migration is acknowledged as an integral aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals established in 2015 by the United Nations. Migrants comprise a significant segment of the world’s population. In mid-2020, nearly 281 million people were migrants, according to the International Organization for Migration. To date, several of the “pull” and “push” factors have been documented for the contemporary global migration along with settlement challenges. However, the experiences of immigrant communities in relation to newly emerging public health issues need much more attention. Some examples of the emerging issues are the COVID-19 pandemic, natural catastrophes, mental stress, violence and trauma, aging, and food insecurity. We welcome your contributions for this Special Issue, especially for the identification of policy, practice, and community-based pathways for addressing inequities in health and access to care amongst immigrant communities for the newly emerging public health issues. Empirical studies (qualitative or quantitative) and methodologically rigorous literature reviews will be given high priority.

Dr. Farah Ahmad
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • migration
  • health equity
  • access to care
  • COVID-19
  • natural disasters
  • mental stress
  • violence and trauma
  • food insecurity
  • aging

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1070 KiB  
Article
Barriers and Facilitators to Engagement in Collective Gardening Among Black African Immigrants in Alberta, Canada
by Destiny Otoadese, Issa Kamara and Elizabeth Onyango
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050789 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 82
Abstract
Background: Community gardens are increasingly popular in Canadian cities, serving as transformative spaces where immigrants can develop self-reliant strategies for accessing culturally familiar and healthy nutritious foods. However, numerous facilitators and barriers exist that limit the engagement of racialized groups such as Black-identifying [...] Read more.
Background: Community gardens are increasingly popular in Canadian cities, serving as transformative spaces where immigrants can develop self-reliant strategies for accessing culturally familiar and healthy nutritious foods. However, numerous facilitators and barriers exist that limit the engagement of racialized groups such as Black-identifying immigrants. Using a socio-ecological framework, this research explores barriers and facilitators of engagement of Black African immigrants in collective community gardening in Alberta, Canada. Methods: The study adopted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach using mixed methods. Data collection included structured surveys (n = 119) to assess general engagement, facilitators, and barriers; in-depth interviews (n = 10) to explore lived experiences; and Afrocentric sharing circles (n = 2) to probe collective perspectives in relation to engagement in collective gardening. Participants were purposefully recruited through community networks within African immigrant-serving community organizations. Results: Our findings revealed how barriers at various levels of the socio-ecological model (SEM) interact to shape the interest and engagement of African immigrants in collective community gardening. Access to collective gardens was associated with significant benefits, including maintaining healthy foodways, knowledge exchange, growing social capital, and community connections that support overall wellbeing. Conclusions: This study contributes an accessible framework for understanding and addressing the complex barriers that limit engagement in community gardens for vulnerable communities, while highlighting opportunities for creating more inclusive and culturally responsive urban agriculture initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues)
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25 pages, 318 KiB  
Article
The Experience of Social Exclusion and the Path to Inclusion from the Perspectives of Immigrant and Refugee Women in the Niagara Region
by Joanne Crawford, Tara Lundy, Chiarina Crawford, Jane Moore, Nicole Viscek and Nyarayi Kapisavanhu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010012 - 25 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1976
Abstract
Social inclusion is a common goal for equitable access to resources for living, is important to health and wellbeing, and is supported by most Western or developed nations. Despite this, immigrant and refugee women continue to be excluded from social, cultural, economic, civic, [...] Read more.
Social inclusion is a common goal for equitable access to resources for living, is important to health and wellbeing, and is supported by most Western or developed nations. Despite this, immigrant and refugee women continue to be excluded from social, cultural, economic, civic, and political participation during and after settlement. Most research exploring the context of social exclusion has reinforced that some groups experience greater exclusion than others in any given population, for example, immigrant women. The purpose of this study was to gain insights by exploring the experiences of social inclusion and exclusion and recommendations from the perspectives of immigrant and refugee women, as well as community service workers in the Niagara Region, Canada. Utilizing qualitative descriptive inquiry underpinned by intersectionality theory along with thematic analysis, we interviewed 10 immigrant and refugee women and 14 community service workers. Five themes were generated: (1) gendered nature of exclusion; (2) levels of exclusion; (3) paving a path for self; (4) formal inclusionary processes; and (5) informal inclusionary processes. The findings will be used to guide community action and may be transferable to community organizations that serve immigrant and refugee women in similar community contexts, with the aim of enhancing collaborations to advance health equity and inclusion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues)
26 pages, 5810 KiB  
Article
Resettlement, Employment, and Mental Health Among Syrian Refugee Men in Canada: An Intersectional Study Using Photovoice
by Nancy Clark, Gökce Yurdakul, Carla Hilario, Heba Elgharbawy, Nedal Izzden, Elias Moses and Muna Zaidalkilani
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1600; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121600 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1482
Abstract
Context: The impact of forced migration on the mental health of refugee men is far-reaching and compounded by gendered masculinity, which shapes men’s access to employment and other resources. A gap in knowledge exists on the broader determinants of refugee men’s mental health. [...] Read more.
Context: The impact of forced migration on the mental health of refugee men is far-reaching and compounded by gendered masculinity, which shapes men’s access to employment and other resources. A gap in knowledge exists on the broader determinants of refugee men’s mental health. Methodology: Using community-based participatory action research and the arts-based method of photovoice, this study advances knowledge about the gendered impacts of forced migration from the perspective of (n = 11) Syrian refugee men in the Canadian context. Theoretical approaches of intersectionality and masculinity were applied to understand how power relations shape Syrian men’s identities, their access to employment, and impacts on their mental health. Analysis and Results: Syrian men’s identities were marginalized by working in low-wage jobs because of inequitable policies that favored Canadian experience and credentialing assessment processes that devalued their knowledge. Multiple and overlapping factors shaped Syrian men’s mental health including language and literacy barriers, time and stage of life, isolation and loneliness, belonging and identity, and gender-based stress. Caring masculinities performed through fathering, cultural connection, and service-based work promoted agency, hope, and resilience. Conclusions: Public health and community-based pathways must adopt gender-responsive and intersectional approaches to policy and practice. Peer-based programs may mitigate harmful forms of masculinity and promote transformative change to support refugee men’s mental health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues)
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14 pages, 338 KiB  
Article
Autism, Stigma, and South Asian Immigrant Families in Canada
by Fariha Shafi, Amirtha Karunakaran and Farah Ahmad
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030369 - 19 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4177
Abstract
Considerable empirical evidence suggests early recognition of autism and access to support result in long-term positive outcomes for children and youth on the spectrum and their families. However, children of racialized families are often diagnosed at later ages, are more likely to be [...] Read more.
Considerable empirical evidence suggests early recognition of autism and access to support result in long-term positive outcomes for children and youth on the spectrum and their families. However, children of racialized families are often diagnosed at later ages, are more likely to be misdiagnosed, and experience many barriers to service access. There is also a paucity of research exploring the experiences of parents from specific immigrant groups caring for their children on the spectrum in Canada, many of whom identify as members of racialized communities. As such, the main aim of the study was to examine how South Asian immigrant parents in Canada are experiencing available care programs and support. Another aim was to examine their perceptions of social stigma associated with autism. We conducted an inductive thematic analysis of qualitative data from nine interviews with South Asian parents living in Ontario, Canada. Findings confirmed barriers to an autism diagnosis and to service access. Additionally, parents reported pronounced autism stigma, which enacted impediments to timely diagnosis, service access, and health-promoting behaviors. Findings also revealed that parents experience considerable caregiver stress and psychological distress. The generated evidence is anticipated to inform equitable policy, programming, and practices that better support the needs of children on the spectrum and their immigrant families. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues)
11 pages, 592 KiB  
Article
Critical Illness in Migrant Workers in the Windsor-Essex Region: A Descriptive Analysis
by Alex Zhou, Abdelhady Osman, Genesis Flores, Dhuvaraha Srikrishnaraj, Jayashree Mohanty, Retage Al Bader, Amy Llancari, Aya El-Hashemi, Manahel Elias, Kanza Mirza, Maureen Muldoon, Ryan Palazzolo, Farwa Zaib, Indryas Woldie and Caroline Hamm
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(16), 6587; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20166587 - 16 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2350
Abstract
Despite their essential role in Canadian agriculture, migrant workers face numerous healthcare barriers. There is a knowledge gap regarding the healthcare experiences of migrant workers with critical illness in the Windsor-Essex region. Our objective was to collect information on the experiences of migrant [...] Read more.
Despite their essential role in Canadian agriculture, migrant workers face numerous healthcare barriers. There is a knowledge gap regarding the healthcare experiences of migrant workers with critical illness in the Windsor-Essex region. Our objective was to collect information on the experiences of migrant workers experiencing a critical illness at Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) between 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2021. We conducted a retrospective chart review and interviews with migrant workers. We identified 14 migrant workers who presented to WRH with a critical illness over these 10 years. Despite occasional barriers regarding access to care, the migrant workers received an appropriate standard of care in Canada. Five of the fourteen patients identified were repatriated to their home countries. The migrant worker patients interviewed expressed satisfaction with the care they received in Canada but identified repatriation as a specific concern to receiving continuity of care. The health and financial burden imposed by critical illness on migrant workers and their employers makes critically ill workers vulnerable to medical repatriation as a unique social determinant of health. Considering the critical role of migrant workers in Canada’s food security, policy changes should be considered to ensure critically ill workers are able to remain until recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues)
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Review

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14 pages, 890 KiB  
Review
Resilience Mechanisms and Coping Strategies for Forcibly Displaced Youth: An Exploratory Rapid Review
by Akm Alamgir, Christopher Kyriakides, Andrew Johnson, Gemechu Abeshu, Bay Bahri and Miles Abssy
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(10), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21101347 - 11 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3122
Abstract
Context: The global escalation of conflict, violence, and human rights violations sets a pressing backdrop for examining the resilience of forcibly displaced youth (FDY) in Canada. This study aims to unpack the multifaceted challenges and resilience mechanisms of FDY, focusing on their health, [...] Read more.
Context: The global escalation of conflict, violence, and human rights violations sets a pressing backdrop for examining the resilience of forcibly displaced youth (FDY) in Canada. This study aims to unpack the multifaceted challenges and resilience mechanisms of FDY, focusing on their health, well-being, and integration into host communities. It seeks to identify current models of resilience, understand the factors within each model, and highlight gaps and limitations. Methodology: Using a university librarian-supported structured search strategy, this exploratory rapid review searched literature from Ovid Medline and open-source databases, published in English between January 2019 and January 2024, that fit specific inclusion criteria. The eligible articles (N = 12 out of 4096) were charted and analyzed by two student researchers with the Principal Investigator (PI). Charted data were analyzed thematically. Results: The selected studies captured diverse geographical perspectives, resilience models (such as Ungar’s ecological perspective and Masten’s resilience developmental models), as well as protective and promotive frameworks. Key findings indicate the complexity of resilience influenced by individual, familial, societal, and cultural factors. Each model offers insights into the dynamic interplay of these influences on FDY’s resilience. However, these models often fall short of addressing the nuances of cultural specificity, the impact of trauma, and the intersectionality of FDY’s identities. Conclusions: Recognizing the diverse and evolving nature of FDY’s coping mechanisms, this study advocates for a culturally appropriate approach to resilience that integrates an intersectionality framework of individual attributes and culturally sensitive models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues)
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Other

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25 pages, 433 KiB  
Essay
Medical Interpreting Services for Refugees in Canada: Current State of Practice and Considerations in Promoting this Essential Human Right for All
by Akshaya Neil Arya, Ilene Hyman, Tim Holland, Carolyn Beukeboom, Catherine E. Tong, Rachel Talavlikar and Grace Eagan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050588 - 2 May 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3659
Abstract
Language barriers, specifically among refugees, pose significant challenges to delivering quality healthcare in Canada. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the emergence and development of innovative alternatives such as telephone-based and video-conferencing medical interpreting services and AI tools, access remains uneven across Canada. This [...] Read more.
Language barriers, specifically among refugees, pose significant challenges to delivering quality healthcare in Canada. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the emergence and development of innovative alternatives such as telephone-based and video-conferencing medical interpreting services and AI tools, access remains uneven across Canada. This comprehensive analysis highlights the absence of a cohesive national strategy, reflected in diverse funding models employed across provinces and territories, with gaps and disparities in access to medical interpreting services. Advocating for medical interpreting, both as a moral imperative and a prudent investment, this article draws from human rights principles and ethical considerations, justified in national and international guidelines, charters, codes and regulations. Substantiated by a cost-benefit analysis, it emphasizes that medical interpreting enhances healthcare quality and preserves patient autonomy. Additionally, this article illuminates decision-making processes for utilizing interpreting services; recognizing the pivotal roles of clinicians, interpreters, patients and caregivers within the care circle; appreciating intersectional considerations such as gender, culture and age, underscoring the importance of a collaborative approach. Finally, it provides recommendations at provider, organizational and system levels to ensure equitable access to this right and to promote the health and well-being of refugees and other individuals facing language barriers within Canada’s healthcare system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migrant Health and Newly Emerging Public Health Issues)
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