Definition
The “Healthy Migrant Effect” describes an empirically observed mortality advantage of migrants from certain countries of origin, relative to the majority population in the host countries, usually in the industrialized world. Occasionally, it relates to a relatively lower morbidity of immigrants as well. The Healthy Migrant Effect also serves as an ad hoc explanation when migrants are found to have a better health status in spite of being socioeconomically disadvantaged. The Healthy Migrant Effect is not theoretically founded; it is often reduced to a presumed selection of healthy individuals at the time of migration (which is an insufficient explanation).
Basic Characteristics
Migrant Mortality: A Paradox
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Razum, O. (2008). Migrant Mortality, Healthy Migrant Effect . In: Kirch, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Public Health. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5614-7_2188
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5614-7_2188
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