The Health Status of Undocumented Immigrants from Asian Countries in the United States: A Scoping Review and Recommendations for Future Directions

Abstract

Immigrants from Asian countries are the fastest-growing undocumented population in the United States (U.S.), yet not much is known about their health. This scoping review identifies the nature and extent of scientific literature on the health of undocumented Asian immigrants in the U.S. We conducted a comprehensive search of six electronic databases in 2024. Inclusion criteria were empirical articles written in English, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals from 2010 to 2024, and focused on a health outcome or health-related issue involving undocumented Asian immigrants. Results are summarized narratively. We identified 13 peer-reviewed publications. Nine studies were quantitative, and four were qualitative. Eight studies were conducted in California; two studies used national secondary data sources. Studies were mixed in their research focus. They covered a range of health outcomes and issues, such as mental health (n=4), health services and access (n=2), contraceptive use (n=1), COVID-19 (n=2), and HIV (n=1). Three studies measured self-rated health alongside other conditions, such as disability, health insurance coverage, chronic health conditions, and obesity. Scholarship on the health of undocumented Asian immigrants is a growing research area. Given the small number of studies identified, future research with larger diverse samples, more robust methodology, and greater topical variety are warranted to understand the health of this population better and reduce potential inequities.