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International Journal of
Population Studies Cultural identity and health risks in forced migration

Furthermore, sudden separations from extended Thus, culturally sensitive therapies that address the
families and familiar surroundings compound traumatic medical and customary needs of forcibly displaced peoples
effects for people struggling to find stability and hope are urgently mandated. The loss of social relationships and
in entirely foreign environments. Neighboring nations support mechanisms that previously bolstered displaced
absorbing refugees in huge numbers also confront major groups further compound their elevated risks. Nonetheless,
socioeconomic challenges in accommodating massive research has noted that new local organizations and faith-
influxes of people and providing adequate shelter, resources, based gatherings sustain collective values and shared beliefs
and public services to all those seeking safety from violence in certain displaced communities, which consequently
and war-induced chaos raging in their homelands. The demonstrate remarkable resilience (Ager et al., 2015).
seemingly intractable battles between Israel and Palestine Some studies have discussed the ways in which relocating
as well as Ukraine and Russia clearly demonstrate the to a new country can impact the psychological well-being
associations between disputes, displacements, psychological of migrants, and have attended to the intricate interplays
well-being, and mortality. Conflict-induced migrations between psychological disorders and acclimating to
have resulted in significant mental health difficulties, unfamiliar social and cultural settings (Wagner & Westaby,
intensifying physical health issues and increasing mortality 2009; Harrison & Brower, 2011). Mental health difficulties
rates. A multifaceted approach is mandated to tackle such could intensify due to the substantial psychological strain-
problems. Such methodologies must incorporate enduring inducing processes of adapting to different locales and
remedies to end the bloodshed and ensure stability even as integrating into foreign societies. However, acculturation is
they deliver urgent humanitarian aid and psychiatric care. pivotal to the mental health of migrants, and comprehension
Diplomatic negotiations must progress simultaneously of the psychological and cultural facets of forcibly displaced
despite the elusiveness of peace. Such dialogs must also populations is pivotal to their assimilation (Kuo, 2014b;
focus on compassion as their common objective because Guler & Berman, 2019; Kodippili et al., 2024). Many
lives remain at risk every day if multidimensional solutions considerations become necessary: for instance, the trauma
are delayed. experienced by such populations before migrating, the loss
4. Discussion of their social roles after migration, their sociodemographic
traits, and their cultural orientations (marginalization,
4.1. Interplays between cultural identity and health assimilation, separation, or biculturalism) (Brance et al.,
The findings of this review of the relevant literature 2024). Migrants could safeguard their mental wellness by
underscore the complex relationships between cultural successfully navigating their new cultures while preserving
identities and mortality rates in unwillingly relocated their original identities (Berry, 2001). Retaining their
populations. Health-related susceptibilities, demise rates, connections to their ethnic backgrounds and residing near
and psychological suffering become activated and escalate others from their communities can protect migrants from
when cultural traditions fade due to forced uprootings developing problems related to their mental health.
(Yoon et al., 2022). Forced migrations often exacerbate 4.2. Culturally sensitive policies and interventions:
the healthcare inequities suffered by marginalized cultural Addressing challenges
groups. Obstacles such as discrimination, linguistic
divides, and paucity of culturally sensitive care can Undeniably, culturally sensitive policies and initiatives must
significantly impair the access of displaced communities be adopted to address the myriad issues experienced by
to medical services (the World Health Organization: displaced communities. The recent literature emphasizes the
WHO, 2022). Research has shown that such impediments need for holistic approaches that respect and acknowledge
result in disproportionate death rates and unequal health the cultural identities of migrants and can, thus, deliver
outcomes in affected populations (Gamper & Kupfer, comprehensive healthcare and other supportive services
2022). Studies have also observed notable health-related to them. Culturally responsive healthcare is paramount
disparities in racial and ethnic minorities in the United for the alleviation of the health-related vulnerabilities of
States. Such inequalities stem primarily from biases that forced migrants. Nair & Adetayo’s (2019) study revealed
limit opportunities for high-quality treatments tailored to that health practitioners must understand the cultural
diverse needs (Patton-López, 2022). Relocations could be backgrounds of their patients to treat them appropriately
caused by crises beyond the control of any group; however, and effectively. Culture-specific practices and ideologies
the quality and availability of care received frequently related to health, illness, and healing must be appreciated.
correlate to cultural contexts. Underserved demographics The quality of care provided to displaced populations can
tend to shoulder heavier burdens related to illness and be substantially enhanced if cultural competency training
suffer more from longstanding social inequities. is comprehensively integrated into medical education from

Volume 11 Issue 2 (2025) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.4468