Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 3/2019

Open Access 01-04-2019 | Original article

Sex differences in mortality in migrants and the Swedish-born population: Is there a double survival advantage for immigrant women?

Authors: Anna Oksuzyan, Eleonora Mussino, Sven Drefahl

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Objectives

In the present study, we examine whether the relationships between country of origin or reason for migration and mortality differ between men and women.

Methods

We apply hazard regression models on high-quality Swedish register data with nationwide coverage.

Results

Relative to their Swedish counterparts, migrants from Nordic and East European (EU) countries and former Yugoslavia have higher mortality. This excess mortality among migrants relative to Swedes is more pronounced in men than in women. Migrants from Western and Southern European countries; Iran, Iraq, and Turkey; Central and South America; and Asia, have lower mortality than Swedes, and the size of the mortality reduction is similar in both sexes. The predictive effects of the reason for migration for mortality are also similar in migrant men and women.

Conclusions

This study provides little support for the hypothesis of a double survival advantage among immigrant women in Sweden. However, it does show that the excess mortality in migrants from Nordic and EU countries and former Yugoslavia relative to the Swedish-born population is more pronounced in men than in women.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
go back to reference Bevelander P (2009) The immigration and integration experience: The case of Sweden. In: Segal UA, Mayadas NS, Elliott D (eds) Immigration worldwide. Oxford University, Oxford Bevelander P (2009) The immigration and integration experience: The case of Sweden. In: Segal UA, Mayadas NS, Elliott D (eds) Immigration worldwide. Oxford University, Oxford
go back to reference Eng PM, Kawachi I, Fitzmaurice G, Rimm EB (2005) Effects of marital transitions on changes in dietary and other health behaviours in US male health professionals. J Epidemiol Community Health 59:56–62CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Eng PM, Kawachi I, Fitzmaurice G, Rimm EB (2005) Effects of marital transitions on changes in dietary and other health behaviours in US male health professionals. J Epidemiol Community Health 59:56–62CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Fox AJ, Collier PF (1976) Low mortality rates in industrial cohort studies due to selection for work and survival in the industry. Br J Prev Soc Med 30:225–230PubMedPubMedCentral Fox AJ, Collier PF (1976) Low mortality rates in industrial cohort studies due to selection for work and survival in the industry. Br J Prev Soc Med 30:225–230PubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Gompertz B (1977) On the nature of the function expressive of the law of human mortality. Springer, Berlin, pp 279–282 Gompertz B (1977) On the nature of the function expressive of the law of human mortality. Springer, Berlin, pp 279–282
go back to reference Kanaiaupuni SM (2000) Reframing the migration question: an analysis of men, women, and gender in Mexico. Soc Forces 78:1311–1348CrossRef Kanaiaupuni SM (2000) Reframing the migration question: an analysis of men, women, and gender in Mexico. Soc Forces 78:1311–1348CrossRef
go back to reference Singh GK, Miller BA (2004) Health, life expectancy, and mortality patterns among immigrant populations in the United States. Can J Public Heal 95:14–21 Singh GK, Miller BA (2004) Health, life expectancy, and mortality patterns among immigrant populations in the United States. Can J Public Heal 95:14–21
go back to reference WHO (2017) European health for all database. WHO Regional Office for Europe; Copenhagen; Denmark. Accessed 09 Aug 2017 WHO (2017) European health for all database. WHO Regional Office for Europe; Copenhagen; Denmark. Accessed 09 Aug 2017
Metadata
Title
Sex differences in mortality in migrants and the Swedish-born population: Is there a double survival advantage for immigrant women?
Authors
Anna Oksuzyan
Eleonora Mussino
Sven Drefahl
Publication date
01-04-2019
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2019
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-019-01208-1

Other articles of this Issue 3/2019

International Journal of Public Health 3/2019 Go to the issue