Migration and severe maternal outcomes in high-income countries
Citation: Eslier M, Azria E, Chatzistergiou K, et al. Association between migration and severe maternal outcomes in high-income countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine. 2023 Jun 22;20(6):e1004257.
Language: Abstract and full text available in EN.
Free to view: Yes.
Funding sources: The authors reported that they had no external funding for this review.
What is this? In this systematic review, the authors searched for studies that assessed the association between migration and severe maternal outcomes in high-income countries. They searched in April 2023 for studies published in any language since 1990. The authors found 39 reports from 35 studies in Europe, Australia, the USA, and Canada. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42021224193.
What was found: The differential risk of severe maternal outcomes in migrant versus native-born women varied by region of origin and host country. In Europe, migrant women had a higher risk of maternal mortality compared to native-born women. Migrant women born in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia, were at a higher risk of maternal mortality than native-born women. However, migrant women in the United States and Australia, as well as those born in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, did not show a higher risk of maternal mortality compared to native-born women.
Implications: The authors of the review stated that there was a need for targeted interventions and support for migrant women to reduce the disparities in severe maternal outcomes. Further investigations should explore the mechanisms underlying maternal health inequalities, including factors related to the characteristics of women (such as social and economic factors) and the healthcare system. Additionally, policymakers and healthcare providers should consider the specific needs and challenges faced by migrant women in order to develop appropriate policies and provide equitable care.
Other considerations: The authors of the review discussed their findings in the context of socioeconomic status and place of residence.
This summary was prepared by Riwa Deghaim, checked by Grace Meng, and finalized by William Summerskill.