Impact of the Relational, Built, Community, and Policy/Political Environments on Immigrant Child Health: A Narrative Review

We summarize recent evidence describing how the health of first-generation immigrant children (FGIC) is influenced by the relational, built, community, and policy/political environments after migration to the United States.

FGIC health is promoted and strengthened by family values, cultural ties, and positive peer relationships, while prior trauma, stressors in family relationships and discrimination detract from physical and mental health. While individual circumstances vary, some FGIC experience substandard built environments associated with poverty, including housing insecurity, food insecurity, and toxin exposures. Within community environments, FGIC receive support from their cultural communities, but may face challenges in navigating complex education and health systems. The policy/political environment often negatively impacts FGIC’s mental health and their ability to access medical and social services.

Healthcare provider awareness about health promoting and detracting factors for FGIC across multiple environments after migration can help inform comprehensive, trauma-informed care.