Shaping local identity through public health: the role of social integration among new-generation rural migrants in urban China

Public health services are positively associated with the development of local identity among new-generation rural migrants, with social integration serving as a critical mediating mechanism. These findings underscore the potential of comprehensive public health strategies not only to meet the health needs of migrant populations but also to promote their social integration. This research provides empirical support for China's "Healthy China" initiative and offers actionable insights for designing policies aimed at enhancing migrant inclusion through improved public health access and community-based interventions.