Interventions to address social determinants of health among immigrant youth: a narrative literature review

Immigrant children and adolescents in the United States are at high risk for experiencing social determinants of poor health. They are less likely to receive preventive healthcare and more likely to face adverse determinants that predispose them to poor lifelong outcomes. These include limited access to preventive care, housing insecurity, transportation challenges, linguistic barriers, and social isolation. Addressing these factors is crucial to improving health. While extensive literature examines the relationship between social determinants and health outcomes, understanding strategies for healthcare providers to address them is critical. This paper aims to: 1) conduct a narrative literature review that summarizes interventions targeting social determinants among immigrant youth, classifying articles by type of intervention and approach; and 2) identify implications for healthcare providers serving immigrant young people. The search identified 16 articles, categorized into four approaches: 1) assessments to identify social determinants; 2) case management or social work interventions; 3) novel models for health promotion or care delivery (e.g. mobile and school-based clinics); and 4) advocacy or policy initiatives. The paper highlights implications for current and future healthcare practices and initiatives, emphasizing the need for providers to integrate these strategies to better serve immigrant youth and families.