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Unpacking Health Literacy Disparities in Migrant and Ethnic Minority Communities in England.

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Τίτλος: Unpacking Health Literacy Disparities in Migrant and Ethnic Minority Communities in England.
Συγγραφείς: Machuca Vargas C; School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK. carolina.machuca-vargas@port.ac.uk., Turkistani S; School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK., David A; School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
Πηγή: Journal of immigrant and minority health [J Immigr Minor Health] 2026 Oct; Vol. 28 (5), pp. 1106-1113. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Feb 06.
Τύπος έκδοσης: Journal Article
Γλώσσα: English
Στοιχεία περιοδικού: Publisher: Springer Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101256527 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1557-1920 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 15571912 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Immigr Minor Health Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: New York, NY : Springer, c 2006-
Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): Health Literacy*/statistics & numerical data , Ethnic and Racial Minorities*/statistics & numerical data , Ethnicity* , Transients and Migrants*, Healthcare Disparities/ethnology ; Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data ; Black People/statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; England ; Focus Groups ; Health Services Accessibility ; Medical Interpreting ; Qualitative Research ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Trust
Περίληψη: Health literacy is essential for navigating healthcare systems and making informed decisions. Migrant and minority ethnic populations often face barriers that impact their health literacy and access to care. This study explored the health literacy profiles and lived experiences of African and Latin American communities in England. A mixed-methods study was conducted using Phase 1 of the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) process. Sixty-five participants completed the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), and hierarchical cluster analysis identified distinct health literacy profiles. Two focus groups (n = 7 each) were held to explore participants' experiences in greater depth. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. While participants demonstrated strengths in accessing and understanding health information, significant disparities emerged in areas requiring institutional engagement, trust in healthcare providers, and emotional support. Key barriers included digital exclusion, limited interpreter availability, fear of immigration consequences, and experiences of being dismissed or misunderstood in clinical settings. These challenges disproportionately affected asylum seekers and those with insecure immigration status, reflecting structural vulnerability and institutional racism. The study highlights the limitations of individual-level interventions and calls for system-wide changes to address the relational and structural barriers that undermine health equity. Improving health literacy among migrant populations requires more than accessible information. Equity-focused, co-designed interventions that confront institutional racism, invest in culturally safe communication, and prioritise emotional safety are essential to reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.
(© 2026. The Author(s).)
Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
References: Public Health. 2016 Mar;132:3-12. (PMID: 26872738)
BMC Public Health. 2017 Mar 3;17(1):230. (PMID: 28253883)
Digit Health. 2023 Jun 29;9:20552076231185442. (PMID: 37426580)
Ann Intern Med. 2011 Jul 19;155(2):97-107. (PMID: 21768583)
Scand J Public Health. 2024 Nov;52(7):893-906. (PMID: 37698073)
Soc Sci Med. 2003 Aug;57(3):503-12. (PMID: 12791492)
BMC Public Health. 2013 Jul 16;13:658. (PMID: 23855504)
Soc Sci Med. 2008 Dec;67(12):2072-8. (PMID: 18952344)
BMC Public Health. 2012 Jan 25;12:80. (PMID: 22276600)
J Health Commun. 2012;17 Suppl 3:82-99. (PMID: 23030563)
Br J Gen Pract. 2015 Mar;65(632):e171-6. (PMID: 25733438)
Health Soc Care Deliv Res. 2025 May;13(13):1-182. (PMID: 40326302)
BMC Public Health. 2011 Mar 25;11:187. (PMID: 21439059)
Br J Gen Pract. 2015 Jun;65(635):e379-86. (PMID: 26009533)
BMC Public Health. 2015 Feb 12;15:129. (PMID: 25885588)
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2006 Jan;41(1):18-26. (PMID: 16341619)
BMJ. 2022 Apr 28;377:e068821. (PMID: 35483723)
BMC Health Serv Res. 2007 May 30;7:75. (PMID: 17537258)
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Mar 03;13(5):. (PMID: 40077103)
Milbank Q. 2006;84(1):111-33. (PMID: 16529570)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Health literacy disparities; Health literacy questionnaire; Migrants communities; Ophelia process
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260206 Date Completed: 20260924 Latest Revision: 20260927
Update Code: 20260927
PubMed Central ID: PMC13612664
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-026-01861-8
PMID: 41652178
Βάση Δεδομένων: MEDLINE
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  Data: Unpacking Health Literacy Disparities in Migrant and Ethnic Minority Communities in England.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Machuca+Vargas+C%22">Machuca Vargas C</searchLink>; School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK. carolina.machuca-vargas@port.ac.uk.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Turkistani+S%22">Turkistani S</searchLink>; School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22David+A%22">David A</searchLink>; School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Health+Literacy%22">Health Literacy*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Health+Literacy+statistics+%26+numerical+data%22">statistics & numerical data</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Ethnic+and+Racial+Minorities%22">Ethnic and Racial Minorities*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Ethnic+and+Racial+Minorities+statistics+%26+numerical+data%22">statistics & numerical data</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Ethnicity%22">Ethnicity*</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Transients+and+Migrants%22">Transients and Migrants*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Healthcare+Disparities%22">Healthcare Disparities</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Healthcare+Disparities+ethnology%22">ethnology</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Hispanic+or+Latino%22">Hispanic or Latino</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Hispanic+or+Latino+statistics+%26+numerical+data%22">statistics & numerical data</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Black+People%22">Black People</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Black+People+statistics+%26+numerical+data%22">statistics & numerical data</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Adult%22">Adult</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Female%22">Female</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Male%22">Male</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Middle+Aged%22">Middle Aged</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22England%22">England</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Focus+Groups%22">Focus Groups</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Health+Services+Accessibility%22">Health Services Accessibility</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Medical+Interpreting%22">Medical Interpreting</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Qualitative+Research%22">Qualitative Research</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Socioeconomic+Factors%22">Socioeconomic Factors</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Trust%22">Trust</searchLink>
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  Data: Health literacy is essential for navigating healthcare systems and making informed decisions. Migrant and minority ethnic populations often face barriers that impact their health literacy and access to care. This study explored the health literacy profiles and lived experiences of African and Latin American communities in England. A mixed-methods study was conducted using Phase 1 of the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) process. Sixty-five participants completed the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), and hierarchical cluster analysis identified distinct health literacy profiles. Two focus groups (n = 7 each) were held to explore participants' experiences in greater depth. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. While participants demonstrated strengths in accessing and understanding health information, significant disparities emerged in areas requiring institutional engagement, trust in healthcare providers, and emotional support. Key barriers included digital exclusion, limited interpreter availability, fear of immigration consequences, and experiences of being dismissed or misunderstood in clinical settings. These challenges disproportionately affected asylum seekers and those with insecure immigration status, reflecting structural vulnerability and institutional racism. The study highlights the limitations of individual-level interventions and calls for system-wide changes to address the relational and structural barriers that undermine health equity. Improving health literacy among migrant populations requires more than accessible information. Equity-focused, co-designed interventions that confront institutional racism, invest in culturally safe communication, and prioritise emotional safety are essential to reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.<br /> (© 2026. The Author(s).)
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  Data: Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
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  Data: Public Health. 2016 Mar;132:3-12. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2226872738%22">26872738)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2017 Mar 3;17(1):230. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2228253883%22">28253883)</searchLink><br />Digit Health. 2023 Jun 29;9:20552076231185442. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237426580%22">37426580)</searchLink><br />Ann Intern Med. 2011 Jul 19;155(2):97-107. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2221768583%22">21768583)</searchLink><br />Scand J Public Health. 2024 Nov;52(7):893-906. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237698073%22">37698073)</searchLink><br />Soc Sci Med. 2003 Aug;57(3):503-12. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2212791492%22">12791492)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2013 Jul 16;13:658. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2223855504%22">23855504)</searchLink><br />Soc Sci Med. 2008 Dec;67(12):2072-8. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2218952344%22">18952344)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2012 Jan 25;12:80. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2222276600%22">22276600)</searchLink><br />J Health Commun. 2012;17 Suppl 3:82-99. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2223030563%22">23030563)</searchLink><br />Br J Gen Pract. 2015 Mar;65(632):e171-6. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2225733438%22">25733438)</searchLink><br />Health Soc Care Deliv Res. 2025 May;13(13):1-182. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2240326302%22">40326302)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2011 Mar 25;11:187. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2221439059%22">21439059)</searchLink><br />Br J Gen Pract. 2015 Jun;65(635):e379-86. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2226009533%22">26009533)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2015 Feb 12;15:129. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2225885588%22">25885588)</searchLink><br />Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2006 Jan;41(1):18-26. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2216341619%22">16341619)</searchLink><br />BMJ. 2022 Apr 28;377:e068821. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235483723%22">35483723)</searchLink><br />BMC Health Serv Res. 2007 May 30;7:75. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2217537258%22">17537258)</searchLink><br />Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Mar 03;13(5):. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2240077103%22">40077103)</searchLink><br />Milbank Q. 2006;84(1):111-33. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2216529570%22">16529570)</searchLink>
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