Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Background: Immigrant communities and first-generation immigrants in the United States face persistent disparities in maternal health outcomes. These inequities are shaped by intersecting structural conditions, including socioeconomic exclusion, language barriers, cultural differences, and institutional constraints documented in prior research. Methods: This narrative review examined 28 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024 that applied an intersectional framework to maternal health research focused on immigrant communities in the United States. Studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The review analyzed how each study conceptualized, designed, and interpreted maternal health in these populations. Results: Seven recurring themes were identified: barriers to and access to care; gaps in clinical guidance; limitations in health data and surveillance; immigration-related policy context; health system influences; intersectional vulnerability across subgroups; and the role of individual- and community-level supports. Conclusions: The literature highlights the importance of community-based strategies, Medicaid policy considerations, and culturally responsive care in addressing maternal health disparities among immigrant communities. Advancing birth equity will require coordinated efforts across healthcare systems, public health programs, and policy environments.
Anand et al. (Tue,) studied this question.