Social Science and Medicine
Volume 183, 2017, Pages 70-79

Transnationalism and health: A systematic literature review on the use of transnationalism in the study of the health practices and behaviors of migrants (Review)

Villa-Torres L.* , González-Vázquez T. , Fleming P.J. , González-González E.L. , Infante-Xibille C. , Chavez R. , Barrington C.
  • a Department of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, United States
  • b Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Mexico
  • c Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, United States
  • d Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Mexico
  • e Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Mexico
  • f Puentes a la Salud Comunitaria, A. C., Mexico
  • g Department of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, United States

Abstract

Transnationalism explores social, economic and political processes that occur beyond national borders and has been widely used in migration studies. We conducted a systematic review to explore if and how transnationalism has been used to study of migrants' health and what a transnational perspective contributes to understanding health practices and behaviors of transnational migrants. We identified 26 empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals tha included a transnational perspective to study migrants’ health practices and behaviors. The studies describe the ways in which migrants travel back and forth between countries of destination to countries of origin to receive health care, for reasons related to cost, language, and perceptions of service quality. In addition, the use of services in countries of origin is related to processes of social class transformation and reclaiming of social rights. For those migrants who cannot travel, active participation in transnational networks is a crucial way to remotely access services through phone or email, and to acquire medical supplies and other health-related goods (traditional medicine, home remedies). We conclude with recommendations for future research in this area. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Author Keywords

Migrants health behaviors Health practices Transnationalism healthcare

Index Keywords

perception literature review border region human Health Behavior research work travel health belief Internationality health service Transnationalism international cooperation language ethnology health care cost medical device migrant psychology Humans empirical research future prospect health geography Review nationalism socioeconomics health services health care help seeking behavior migration politics Transients and Migrants systematic review scientific literature immigrant population
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018312924&doi=10.1016%2fj.socscimed.2017.04.048&partnerID=40&md5=42828aedb2f71ab55c5b07b38b71afd1
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.04.048
ISSN: 02779536
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English