Community-Driven Interventions to Reduce Inequities Among Migrants: Two Case Studies from Portugal

Abstract Community health programs play a vital role in reducing health inequities among migrant populations. In Portugal, two participatory initiatives highlight how co-designed and inclusive approaches can lead to more responsive, sustainable, and effective health interventions. Case Study 1 focuses on a health literacy project aiming to support the prevention of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, among migrant communities. Central to the project was the creation of a Community Board, which brought together migrants, researchers, health and social care professionals, and policy stakeholders. This diverse group co-led key aspects of the research process, including identifying priorities, informing data collection tools, and co-designing intervention strategies. Their involvement ensured cultural and linguistic appropriateness, while enhancing community ownership and relevance. The project demonstrated how participatory methods, when grounded in lived experience, contribute to more accessible and equitable health outcomes. Case Study 2 adapts “Music & Motherhood”, a WHO-led arts and health intervention for maternal mental health, to the Portuguese context. The 10-week program offers weekly in-person singing sessions for migrant mothers and their babies. A Participant and Stakeholder Involvement group - including mothers with lived experience, mental health professionals, academics, and artists - guides the adaptation and implementation of the intervention to ensure it meets local needs and resources. Together, these case studies demonstrate how participatory, community-based approaches not only enhance the feasibility and cultural relevance of health interventions but also foster inclusion and long-term impact. Involving both communities and institutional stakeholders from the outset leads to more grounded, equitable, and effective health strategies for migrant populations.