The Impact of Outreach Work, Interventions and Health Outcomes in Multicultural Communities – A Literature Review
Odo, Faith (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061222825
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061222825
Tiivistelmä
The need to raise awareness of outreach services and understanding health disparities among immigrant populations have been revealed by Finland's fast growing cultural diversity. The trend has resulted in declining health outcomes in immigrant communities, despite some of them arriving in good health. Discrimination, poor health literacy, social isolation, language barriers and difficulties navigating the health and support services are major factors contributing to this decline. These barriers hinder effective outreach and limit access to a broad range of services, including outreach programs, social services, health education, peer support and cultural mediation.
This review explores the impact of outreach interventions in enhancing health outcomes in multicultural environments. Through qualitative literature review, thirteen peer-reviewed articles were selected from academic databases, assessed using JBI criteria appraisal checklist and analysed thematically. Four main themes were identified which include: barriers to care, trust and engagement, communication and cultural challenges, and health education strategies. The findings highlighted several strategies that will reduce health disparities, such as mobile health units, peer- led initiative, increasing health literacy, bilingual services and cultural mediators.
Although Havukoski, Vantaa is not used as a case study, it is cited as a diverse community facing urban health challenges. The information obtained from this study will support the Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak) in planning and improving student-led learning activities, ensuring that future health professionals are equipped to meet the needs of diverse communities. The results also provide useful recommendations for non- governmental organizations such as church Diaconia, Finnish Red Cross, policy makers and public health organizations, who are trying to create effective outreach programs in Finland.
This review explores the impact of outreach interventions in enhancing health outcomes in multicultural environments. Through qualitative literature review, thirteen peer-reviewed articles were selected from academic databases, assessed using JBI criteria appraisal checklist and analysed thematically. Four main themes were identified which include: barriers to care, trust and engagement, communication and cultural challenges, and health education strategies. The findings highlighted several strategies that will reduce health disparities, such as mobile health units, peer- led initiative, increasing health literacy, bilingual services and cultural mediators.
Although Havukoski, Vantaa is not used as a case study, it is cited as a diverse community facing urban health challenges. The information obtained from this study will support the Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak) in planning and improving student-led learning activities, ensuring that future health professionals are equipped to meet the needs of diverse communities. The results also provide useful recommendations for non- governmental organizations such as church Diaconia, Finnish Red Cross, policy makers and public health organizations, who are trying to create effective outreach programs in Finland.