Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
International Journal for Equity in Health
Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

The social income inequality, social integration and health status of internal migrants in China

Authors: Yanwei Lin, Qi Zhang, Wen Chen, Li Ling

Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health | Issue 1/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

To examine the interaction between social income inequality, social integration, and health status among internal migrants (IMs) who migrate between regions in China.

Methods

We used the data from the 2014 Internal Migrant Dynamic Monitoring Survey in China, which sampled 15,999 IMs in eight cities in China. The Gini coefficient at the city level was calculated to measure social income inequality and was categorized into low (0.2 < Gini <= 0.3), medium (0.3 < Gini <= 0.4), high (0.4 < x < = 0.5), and very high (Gini >0.5). Health status was measured based upon self-reported health, subjective well-being, and perceptions of stress and mental health. Social integration was measured from four perspectives (acculturation and integration willingness, social insurance, economy, social communication). Linear mixed models were used to examine the interaction effects between health statuses, social integration, and the Gini coefficient.

Results

Factors of social integration, such as economic integration and acculturation and integration willingness, were significantly related to health. Social income inequality had a negative relationship with the health status of IMs. For example, IMs in one city, Qingdao, with a medium income inequality level (Gini = 0.329), had the best health statuses and better social integration. On the other hand, IMs in another city, Shenzhen, who had a large income inequality (Gini = 0.447) were worst in health statues and had worse social integration.

Conclusion

Policies or programs targeting IMs should support integration willingness, promote a sense of belonging, and improve economic equality. In the meantime, social activities to facilitate employment and create social trust should also be promoted. At the societal level, structural and policy changes are necessary to promote income equity to promote IMs’ general health status.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Lin Y, Zhang Q, Chen W, Shi J, Han S, Song X, Xu Y, Ling L. Association between social integration and health among internal migrants in ZhongShan, China. PLoS One. 2016;11:e0148397.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
2.
Chen J. Internal migration and health: re-examining the healthy migrant phenomenon in China. Soc Sci Med. 2011;72:1294–301.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Qiu P, Caine E, Yang Y, Chen Q, Li J, Ma X. Depression and associated factors in internal migrant workers in China. J Affect Disord. 2011;134:198–207.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
4.
Gui Y, Berry JW, Zheng Y. Migrant worker acculturation in China. Int J Int Relat. 2012;36:598–610.CrossRef
5.
Newbold B. Health status and health care of immigrants in Canada: a longitudinal analysis. J Health Serv Res Policy. 2005;10:77–83.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Newbold KB. Self-rated health within the Canadian immigrant population: risk and the healthy immigrant effect. Soc Sci Med. 2005;60:1359–70.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Chen J, Chen S, Landry PF. Migration, environmental hazards, and health outcomes in China. Soc Sci Med. 2013;80:85–95.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Alvarez-Ude CF. Rebollo AP: [psychological disturbances and deterioration of health-related quality of life of patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease (not on dialysis)]. Nefrologia. 2008;28(Suppl 3):57–62.
9.
Tong Y, Piotrowski M. Migration and health selectivity in the context of internal migration in China, 1997-2009. Popul Res Policy Rev. 2012;31:497–543.CrossRef
10.
Salant T, Lauderdale DS. Measuring culture: a critical review of acculturation and health in Asian immigrant populations. Soc Sci Med. 2003;57:71–90.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Li X, Stanton B, Chen X, Hong Y, Fang X, Lin D, Mao R, Wang J. Health indicators and geographic mobility among young rural-to-urban migrants in China. World Health Popul. 2006;8:5–21.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
12.
Li L, Wang HM, Ye XJ, Jiang MM, Lou QY, Hesketh T. The mental health status of Chinese rural-urban migrant workers: comparison with permanent urban and rural dwellers. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2007;42:716–22.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Wong DF, He X, Leung G, Lau Y, Chang Y. Mental health of migrant workers in China: prevalence and correlates. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2008;43:483–9.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Lau JT, Cheng Y, Gu J, Zhou R, Yu C, Holroyd E, Yeung NC. Suicides in a mega-size factory in China: poor mental health among young migrant workers in China. Occup Environ Med. 2012;69:526.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Gao J, Weaver SR, Fua H, Pan Z. Does workplace social capital associate with hazardous drinking among Chinese rural-urban migrant workers? PLoS One. 2014;9:e115286.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
16.
Hilmers A, Bernabe-Ortiz A, Gilman RH, McDermott AY, Smeeth L, Miranda JJ. Rural-to-urban migration: socioeconomic status but not acculturation was associated with overweight/obesity risk. J Immigr Minor Health.2016;18(3):644–51.
17.
Lin D, Li X, Wang B, Hong Y, Fang X, Qin X, Stanton B. Discrimination, perceived social inequity, and mental health among rural-to-urban migrants in China. Community Ment Health J. 2011;47:171–80.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Xing H, Yu W, Chen S, Zhang D, Tan R. Influence of social support on health-related quality of life in new-generation migrant Workers in Eastern China. Iran J Public Health. 2013;42:806–12.PubMedPubMedCentral
19.
Zhao S, Chen X, Wang L. Maternal parenting and social, school, and psychological adjustment of migrant children in urban China. Int J Behav Dev. 2015;39:541–51.CrossRef
20.
21.
Biggs B, King L, Basu S, Stuckler D. Is wealthier always healthier? The impact of national income level, inequality, and poverty on public health in Latin America. Soc Sci Med. 2010;71:266–73.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Wilkinson RG, Pickett KE. Income inequality and population health: a review and explanation of the evidence. Soc Sci Med. 2006;62:1768–84.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Jin J, Wang J, Ma X, Wang Y, Li R. Equality of medical health resource allocation in China based on the Gini coefficient method. Iran J Public Health. 2015;44:445–57.PubMedPubMedCentral
24.
25.
Yang J. From isolation, selection into the integration: thinking of theory of social integration of internal migrants. Popul Stud. 2009;33(1):17–29.
26.
Rose R. How much does social capital add to individual health? A survey study of Russians. Soc Sci Med. 2000;51:1421–35.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Hyyppa MT, Maki J. Why do Swedish-speaking Finns have longer active life? An area for social capital research. Health Promot Int. 2001;16:55–64.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Yang J. Index of assimilation for rural-to-urban migrants: a further analysis of the conceptual framework of assimilation theory. Popul Econ. 2010;2:64–70.
29.
Butler M, Warfa N, Khatib Y, Bhui K. Migration and common mental disorder: an improvement in mental health over time? Int Rev Psychiatry. 2015;27:51–63.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Haasen C, Demiralay C, Reimer J. Acculturation and mental distress among Russian and Iranian migrants in Germany. Eur Psychiatry. 2008;23(Suppl 1):10–3.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Jin L, Wen M, Fan JX, Wang G. Trans-local ties, local ties and psychological well-being among rural-to-urban migrants in shanghai. Soc Sci Med. 2012;75:288–96.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Wen M, Fan J, Jin L, Wang G. Neighborhood effects on health among migrants and natives in shanghai, China. Health Place. 2010;16:452–60.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Lisa F, Berkman TG, Brissette I, Teresa E. Seeman: From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new millennium. Soc Sci Med. 2000;51(6):843–57.
34.
35.
Nong N. Interpretation of the Gini coefficient algorithm. Popul Sci Technol. 2014;16:165–7.
36.
Zhou H. Measurement and theoretical perspectives of immigrant assimilation in china. Popul Res. 2012;36(3):27–37.
37.
Newnham EA, Harwood KE, Page AC. Evaluating the clinical significance of responses by psychiatric inpatients to the mental health subscales of the SF-36. J Affect Disord. 2007;98:91–7.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Diener E, Emmons RA, Larsen RJ, Griffin S. The satisfaction with life scale. J Pers Assess. 1985;49:71–5.CrossRefPubMed
39.
Karam F, Berard A, Sheehy O, Huneau MC, Briggs G, Chambers C, Einarson A, Johnson D, Kao K, Koren G, et al. Reliability and validity of the 4-item perceived stress scale among pregnant women: results from the OTIS antidepressants study. Res Nurs Health. 2012;35:363–75. doi:10.​1002/​nur.​21482. Epub 22012 Apr 21417CrossRefPubMed
40.
Kim G, DeCoster J, Bryant AN, Ford KL. Measurement equivalence of the K6 scale:the effects of race/ethnicity and language. Assessment. 2015;23(6);555–68.
41.
Bakkeli NZ. Income inequality and health in China: a panel data analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2016;157:39–47.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Huisman M, Oldehinkel AJ. Income inequality, social capital and self-inflicted injury and violence-related mortality. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2009;63:31–7.CrossRefPubMed
43.
Tsai AC, Lucas M, Sania A, Kim D, Kawachi I. Social integration and suicide mortality among men: 24-year cohort study of U.S. health professionals. Ann Intern Med. 2014;161:85–95.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
44.
Baumgartner JN, Susser E. Social integration in global mental health: what is it and how can it be measured? Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2013;22:29–37.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Vue W, Wolff C, Goto K. Hmong food helps us remember who we are: perspectives of food culture and health among Hmong women with young children. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2011;43:199–204.CrossRefPubMed
46.
Garnweidner LM, Terragni L, Pettersen KS, Mosdol A. Perceptions of the host country's food culture among female immigrants from Africa and Asia: aspects relevant for cultural sensitivity in nutrition communication. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2012;44:335–42.CrossRefPubMed
47.
48.
Brayley N, Obst PL. The Australian Grey nomads--are they who we think they are? Enhancing formative research through the quantitative assessment of psychological constructs. Health Promot J Austr. 2010;21:138–42.PubMed
49.
Cattell V. Poor people, poor places, and poor health: the mediating role of social networks and social capital. Soc Sci Med. 2001;52(10):1501–16.CrossRefPubMed
50.
Wang Q, Zhang D, Hou Z. Insurance coverage and socioeconomic differences in patient choice between private and public health care providers in China. Soc Sci Med. 2016;170:124–32.CrossRefPubMed
51.
Marcus AF, Echeverria SE, Holland BK, Abraido-Lanza AF, Passannante MR. The joint contribution of neighborhood poverty and social integration to mortality risk in the United States. Ann Epidemiol. 2016;26:261–6.CrossRefPubMed
52.
Seeman T. Social ties and health: the benefits of social integration. Soc Ties Health. 1996:442–51.
53.
Chen H, Zhu Z, Sun D, Wang X. The Physical and Psychological Health of Migrants in Guangzhou, China: How Does Neighborhood Matter?. Inquiry A Journal of Medical Care Organization Provision & Financing. 2016;53:1–8.
54.
Kawachi KB, Lochner K, Prothrow-Stith D. Social capital, income inequality, and mortality. Am J Public Health. 1997:1491–8.
55.
Weaver RR, Rivello R. The distribution of mortality in the United States: the effects of income (inequality), social capital, and race. Omega (Westport). 2006;54:19–39.CrossRef
56.
Jorge-Monteiro MF, Ornelas JH. What's wrong with the seed? A Comparative Examination of an Empowering Community-Centered Approach to Recovery in Community Mental Health. Community Ment Health J. 2016;12:12.
57.
Na L, Hample D. Psychological pathways from social integration to health: an examination of different demographic groups in Canada. Soc Sci Med. 2016;151:196–205.CrossRefPubMed
58.
Boen C. The role of socioeconomic factors in black-white health inequities across the life course: point-in-time measures, long-term exposures, and differential health returns. Soc Sci Med. 2016;170:63–76.CrossRefPubMed
59.
Dalgard OS, Mykletun A, Rognerud M, Johansen R, Zahl PH. Education, sense of mastery and mental health: results from a nation wide health monitoring study in Norway. BMC Psychiatry. 2007;7:20.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
60.
Metadata
Title
The social income inequality, social integration and health status of internal migrants in China
Authors
Yanwei Lin
Qi Zhang
Wen Chen
Li Ling
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal for Equity in Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1475-9276
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-017-0640-9

Other articles of this Issue 1/2017

International Journal for Equity in Health 1/2017 Go to the issue

Research

The cost of free health care for all Kenyans: assessing the financial sustainability of contributory and non-contributory financing mechanisms

Research

Aboriginal and non-aboriginal Australian former prisoners’ patterns of morbidity and risk of hospitalisation

Systematic review

The effect of socioeconomic disadvantage on prescription of guideline-recommended medications for patients with acute coronary syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis

Research

Interplay wellbeing framework: a collaborative methodology ‘bringing together stories and numbers’ to quantify Aboriginal cultural values in remote Australia

Research

Social and environmental determinants of child health in Mongolia across years of rapid economic growth: 2000-2010

Research

Monitoring SO2emission trends and residents’ perceived health risks from PGM smelting at Selous Metallurgical Complex in Zimbabwe