28 Migrant responses to COVID-19: lessons for inclusive health promotion & future crises

Abstract PTH 9: Miscellaneous 2, B302 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 11:30 - 12:24 Aims Much research concerning migrant populations during COVID-19 documents negative impacts of structural disadvantage with sparse attention on how migrants responded and maintained wellbeing. In contrast, this presentation aims to showcase three recent studies of the pandemic that the author has been involved in that explored 1) individual assets that migrant university students’ in Australia drew upon to maintain health, 2) a collaborative health communication campaign with social media influencers targeting migrant youth, and 3) migrant civic practices that supported local and transnational communities worldwide. This paper highlights the broader themes arising from these three studies, offering lessons to inform solution-focused migrant health research, policy, and practice for an inclusive response to future crises. Methods The presentation draws on 1) survey data from 87 respondents and 10 photovoice interviews, 2) 13 interviews with migrant social media influencers and target audience members, and 3) a global systematic literature review of 46 studies concerning migrant civic practices during COVID-19. Results Several individual assets are identified that enabled migrants to respond to COVID-19 in unique ways. Additionally, collaborating with migrant social media influencers in ways that acknowledge and privilege their expertise can support an inclusive pandemic response. Furthermore, the literature review found how the interdependent mechanisms of migrant civic practices including social networks, civic infrastructure, and social media supported the generation, utilisation, and conversion of migrant capital during COVID-19. Conclusions Together, the studies highlight opportunities for the future management of and response to crises that further threaten the possibility of ‘health for all’. Engaging migrant strengths and expertise in health policy decisions and health promotion practice can facilitate an inclusive emergency response. Strengths-based concepts such as, migrant capital and salutogenesis are useful for migrant health research, and engaging with intersectionality may enable greater precision in understanding what works for whom.