Labor migration is a ubiquitous phenomenon in Central Asia. In countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, a large proportion of working-age adults travel abroad (often to Russia or Kazakhstan) as labor migrants. For example, recent UNICEF reports note that in Uzbekistan over 40% of adult males are engaged in temporary work abroad, leaving many children in the care of relatives [4]. This separation often imposes significant psychosocial stress on children: caregivers and children report that prolonged parental absence “takes an emotional toll on the children left behind, impacting on their psychological wellbeing” [4]. Studies have documented higher levels of anxiety, mood swings, and behavioral problems in children of migrant parents [4]. At the same time, chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly affecting youth worldwide. Evidence from behavioral medicine indicates that early-life psychosocial stress can “get under the skin” and program long-term risk of chronic illness (such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes) in later life [3]. However, little is known about whether the acute and chronic stressors experienced by children of migrant laborers in Central Asia translate into higher rates of chronic health conditions during childhood or adolescence. Understanding this link is critical for public health planning in the region.

labor migration; psychosocial stress; chronic disease; children; Central Asia

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