Advancing an individual-community health nexus: Survey, visual, and narrative meanings of mental and physical health for Arab emerging adults

•Arab and Arab American physical and mental health are understudied.•Social science research prioritizing Arab youth is needed to advance health equity.•Medical anthropology aids understanding of social-relational models of health.•Beyond self-rated health, Arab youth face numerous mental and physical challenges.•Arab youth depict their experiences of identity, community-health with PhotoVoice.