Migrant Health in Europe: A Cross-National Analysis of the 'Healthy Immigrant Effect'

Despite efforts from the World Health Organization and European Union to target immigrant health disparities cross-nationally, little is known about how migrant health outcomes vary between countries and in different social environments. Much of the existing research on immigrant health has been conducted in the United States or has been limited to analysis within a single country. Using data for 21 countries from five rounds of the European Social Survey (2002-2010), this paper examines cross-national variations in migrant health status in Europe. Not only does immigrant health vary between countries in Europe, but it appears to be associated with welfare state regime characteristics of the destination country. Further cross-national comparisons of receiving country context and social determinants of health may expand existing theoretical perspectives and point to policy solutions.