Analysing the Health of Queer Muslims Through the 4M Framework: A Scoping Literature Review

Abstract The health and wellbeing of queer Muslims, a group positioned at the intersection of multiple marginalised identities, remains underexplored in academic literature. This scoping literature review critically analyses existing research on queer Muslim health using the 4M framework (Mega, Macro, Meso, Micro) to identify structural and individual determinants impacting health outcomes. The study highlights the profound influence of intersecting factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, geographic location, and socioeconomic status on healthcare access and health outcomes. Findings reveal that dominant epistemological assumptions about queerness and Islam perpetuate stigma, discrimination, and minority stress, leading to adverse health outcomes. Key barriers include inadequate funding, homonormative healthcare policies, and exclusionary cultural expectations within healthcare settings. Conversely, supportive familial, peer, and religious networks, along with access to digital resources, are identified as facilitators of better health outcomes. The review calls for culturally competent, strength-based models of care and emphasises the need for future research to address the diverse health experiences of queer Muslims across different regions and identities.