Scoping Review of Health Literacy Interventions among Migrant Communities in Europe

Abstract Background The increase in migration trends in Europe has brought attention to the significant health disparities between migrant and native populations, which are largely rooted in social determinants of health such as economic difficulties, language barriers, and limited access to services. Tailored health literacy (HL) interventions can serve as an intermediate factor between social determinants of health and health outcome, thereby holding great potential for addressing these disparities. Despite a growing body of research on migrant health, there remains a gap in our understanding of effective HL interventions for this population. Methods A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) updated guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Electronic searches were carried out across five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, PsychINFO, and CINHAL) and supplemented by a manual search. We included European studies on migrant HL interventions, conducted between 2011 and 2023, and published in English or Portuguese language. Results Out of 1018 records, 7 studies met eligibility criteria. Predominantly situated in Northern and Western Europe (85.5%), interventions primarily targeted female migrants (71.4%) through in-person courses (42.9%). Identified intervention strengths included culturally adapted content, migrant engagement, and access to written materials. Gaps included mental health interventions and community outreach. Conclusions This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of HL interventions targeting migrant populations, highlighting their characteristics, strengths, and gaps. These findings serve as a foundational step towards developing guidelines for effective HL interventions within migrant communities. Key messages • Most European health literacy interventions for migrants target women and are conducted in North or West Europe. • Cultural adaptation and community engagement are key strengths of migrant health literacy interventions, yet gaps remain in mental health support and community outreach efforts.