Refugee and Migrants' Health Financing: A Scoping Review
1
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3567
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Refugees face significant challenges in accessing healthcare. While there are many different financing models, their effectiveness remains unclear. This scoping review aims to investigate various global financial models to identify equitable and sustainable solutions for refugee healthcare.
METHODS:
This scoping review is in line with Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and gray literature, using terms related to "refugees" and "financing”. Data were systematically extracted to extract financial models and related health outcomes, followed by qualitative synthesis.
RESULTS:
We identified 59 studies covering diverse financial models and interventions for refugee healthcare. We categorized refugee‐health financing into five models: 1) mainstream integration, 2) risk‐transfer/insurance, 3) specialized services, 4) donor-based mechanisms, and 5) innovative hybrid models. Models integrating refugees into host‐country systems have improved preventive care and reduced emergency visits, while donor‐driven models showed variable sustainability.
CONCLUSIONS:
No single financing approach universally meets refugees’ healthcare needs. Integrated, mixed‐funding models that combine government funding with innovative risk‐sharing mechanisms are with better efficient. Policymakers should prioritize inclusive policies that improve coverage.
Refugees face significant challenges in accessing healthcare. While there are many different financing models, their effectiveness remains unclear. This scoping review aims to investigate various global financial models to identify equitable and sustainable solutions for refugee healthcare.
METHODS:
This scoping review is in line with Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and gray literature, using terms related to "refugees" and "financing”. Data were systematically extracted to extract financial models and related health outcomes, followed by qualitative synthesis.
RESULTS:
We identified 59 studies covering diverse financial models and interventions for refugee healthcare. We categorized refugee‐health financing into five models: 1) mainstream integration, 2) risk‐transfer/insurance, 3) specialized services, 4) donor-based mechanisms, and 5) innovative hybrid models. Models integrating refugees into host‐country systems have improved preventive care and reduced emergency visits, while donor‐driven models showed variable sustainability.
CONCLUSIONS:
No single financing approach universally meets refugees’ healthcare needs. Integrated, mixed‐funding models that combine government funding with innovative risk‐sharing mechanisms are with better efficient. Policymakers should prioritize inclusive policies that improve coverage.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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