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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 1/2015

01-01-2015 | Original Article

Self-perceived health among Eastern European immigrants over 50 living in Western Europe

Authors: D. Lanari, O. Bussini, L. Minelli

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Objectives

This paper examines whether Eastern European immigrants aged 50 and over living in Northern and Western Europe face a health disadvantage in terms of self-perceived health, with respect to the native-born. We also examined health changes over time (2004–2006–2010) through the probabilities of transition among self-perceived health states, and how they vary according to nativity status and age group.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Logistic regressions and probabilities of transition were used.

Results

Results emphasise the health disadvantage of Eastern European immigrants living in Germany, France and  Sweden with respect to the native-born, even after controlling for socio-economic status. Probabilities of transition also evidenced that people born in Eastern Europe were more likely to experience worsening health and less likely to recover from sickness.

Conclusions

This paper suggests that health inequalities do not affect immigrant groups in equal measure and confirm the poorer and more steeply deteriorating health status of Eastern European immigrants.
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Metadata
Title
Self-perceived health among Eastern European immigrants over 50 living in Western Europe
Authors
D. Lanari
O. Bussini
L. Minelli
Publication date
01-01-2015
Publisher
Springer Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0629-8

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