Database of Migrant Health Research Ireland (2000 - 2023)

This database has been created following the completion of two scoping reviews that examined the production of migrant health reseach in Ireland covering the period 2000 - 2023 (Villarroel N, Hannigan A, Severoni S, Puthoopparambil S, MacFarlane A. Migrant health research in the Republic of Ireland: a scoping review. BMC Public Health. 2019 Mar 20;19(1):324. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6651-2 and Cronin A, Hannigan A, Ibrahim N, Seidler Y, Owoeye BO, Gasmalla W, Moyles T, MacFarlane A. An updated scoping review of migrant health research in Ireland. BMC Public Health. 2024 May 28;24(1):1425. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-18920-0).

This database lists all 142 studies included in this work and which were analysed using the 9 strategic areas identified in the World Health Organisation Strategy and Action Plan (SaAP) for Refugee and Migrant Health 2016–2023 (World Health Organization. EUR/RC66/8 Strategy and action plan for refugee and migrant health in the WHO European Region. 2016).

The WHO SaAP lists 9 strategic priority areas (SA's) to improve refugee and migrant health;

• SA1: Collaborative action on migrant health issues

• SA2: Advocacy for the right to health of refugees and migrants

• SA3: Addressing the social determinants of health

• SA4: Achieving public health preparedness

• SA5: Strengthening health systems

• SA6: Communicable diseases

• SA7: Noncommunicable diseases

• SA8: Health screening and assessment

• SA9: Improving health information and communication

For further discussion on the framework analysis, please refer to the studies themselves.

The creation of this database was a recommendation of the second scoping review, which is in line with Goal 4 of Ireland’s current National Intercultural Health Strategy (NIHS) (HSE. Second National Intercultural Health Strategy 2018–2023 [Internet]. 2018. https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/primarycare/socialinclusion/intercultural-health/intercultural-health-strategy.pdf). NIHS emphasises the need for the development of an accessible and comprehensive evidence base to guide policymaking and provide detailed analyses of health trends and needs within migrant communities. Such evidence supports public health education and offers critical oversight of migrant health research in Ireland. This database serves as a valuable resource for refugees, migrants, researchers, policymakers, NGOs, and community stakeholders. It provides easy access to the body of evidence, when drafting informed submissions to government bodies regarding service gaps and assists health service planners in developing evidence-based policy responses tailored to migrant populations.

This database has undergone two rounds of user testing, engaging participants from diverse sectors, including academia, research governance, migrant-focused NGOs, policymakers, and postgraduate researchers. As a result, this iteration reflects their extensive feedback, ensuring its relevance, usability, and alignment with stakeholder needs.