Table 3 Popular beliefs not fully supported by the available evidence

HA migrants are more prone to psychological disorders than locals

YES:129,132,133

Studies report higher [129,132,133], similar [134] and lower rates [135]. Differing patterns when disaggregating the analysis by sex [136] and country of birth [137]

NO:134,135

Depends on sex and nationality:136,137

Communicable infections are the main health problem affecting HA migrants

NO:179,180

Most causes of hospitalization fell in the “Pregnancy and Childbirth” category (44%), followed by digestive problems (11%) and trauma (7%). Infectious diseases accounted for 3.2% cases [179]. Main causes of consultations in undocumented migrants: gynaecological and paediatric, acute respiratory infections, depressive disorders, headache, lower back pain and hypertension [180]

HIV and TB are mainly “imported” from countries of origin

NO:34,35,36,60,63

Many HIV cases seem locally acquired [34-36].

Only 2.8% of foreign-born TB cases ill on arrival but 50% develop disease in 2 years [60]. Reactivation of latent infection [60] but also transmission between local and foreign-born [63]

HAs overuse health services causing operational and financial burdens

Wide heterogeneities: 171,172,174,217

Health “expenditure” HAs < locals [174]. Studies report that HA men resort to emergency services more [172] and less [174] than locals. Wide heterogeneities depending on demographics, health status, area of residence, country of origin and type of service [171,172,174,217]

Strong social networks correlate with better health indicators in HA migrants

YES:123

Social integration in the community positively correlates with subjective well being [123]. Social integration through community group positively related to poor mental health [139]. Ecuadorians from high ethnic density areas more likely to be a possible psychiatric case vs those living in low ethnic density neighbourhoods [143]

NO:139,143

Women are the more disadvantaged in terms of poor health

YES:192,193

Heterogeneous results on self-perceived health by sex: men had better outcomes in two studies [192,193] but Bolivian men scored lowest in another [137]

NOT ALWAYS:137