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Integrating healthcare financing for refugees into national health systems: Findings from a rapid review of the literature

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  • Bertone, Maria Paola
  • Palmer, Natasha
  • Witter, Sophie

Abstract

As the number of refugees increases and displacement becomes protracted, providing equitable healthcare in sustainable ways is increasingly challenging. The Global Compact for Refugees calls for greater inclusion of refugees in national health systems. However, evidence is limited on the most suitable approaches to achieve integration, including from a health financing perspective. This study reviewed normative and empirical literatures on health financing for refugees, reflecting on existing arrangements, and their level of integration with national health systems. A total of 52 documents were reviewed following a purposeful search of grey and published literature. Data were analysed according to core health financing sub-functions as defined by the WHO, specifically reflecting on pathways and approaches to integration for each.

Suggested Citation

  • Bertone, Maria Paola & Palmer, Natasha & Witter, Sophie, 2025. "Integrating healthcare financing for refugees into national health systems: Findings from a rapid review of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 387(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:387:y:2025:i:c:s0277953625010275
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kayvan Bozorgmehr & Oliver Razum, 2015. "Effect of Restricting Access to Health Care on Health Expenditures among Asylum-Seekers and Refugees: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Germany, 1994–2013," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-22, July.
    2. Olabi, Amina & Palmer, Natasha & Bertone, Maria Paola & Loffreda, Giulia & Bou-Orm, Ibrahim & Sempe, Lucas & Vera-Espinoza, Marcia & Dakessian, Arek & Kadetz, Paul & Ager, Alastair & Witter, Sophie, 2025. "Refugee integration in national health systems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): evidence synthesis and future research agenda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 385(C).
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