Intersections between gender approaches, migration and health in Latin America and the Caribbean: a discussion based on a scoping review

Abstract

Gender is a sociocultural construct that assigns forms of behaviour, power, and roles to individuals based on their sexual differentiation. There are multiple gender approaches that help distinguish risks, health conditions and behaviours related to the body, health-disease processes, and differential opportunities to access health care. Based on a scoping review of scientific and grey literature in LAC, we discuss existing understandings of international migrants’ health in LAC with a focus on gender approaches. Our discussion covers the following seven dimensions: gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health, barriers to healthcare services, and emerging patterns of health and healthcare among men and LGBTIQA+. The evidence indicates the urgent need to adopt gender approaches when addressing migrant and refugee health in LAC. Including gender approaches into ongoing strategies for promoting and protecting the health and rights of migrants and refugees is a pending challenge in the region.