Gaceta Sanitaria
Volume 29, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 15-20

The healthy migrant effect in primary care (Article) (Open Access)

Gimeno-Feliu L.A.* , Calderón-Larrañaga A. , Diaz E. , Poblador-Plou B. , Macipe-Costa R. , Prados-Torres A.
  • a EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Paseo Isabel La Católica 1-3, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain, San Pablo Health Centre, C/Aguadores 7, Zaragoza, 50003, Spain, Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain
  • b EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Paseo Isabel La Católica 1-3, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain, Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain, Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, C/Sinesio Delgado 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain
  • c Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Kalfarveien 31, Bergen, NO-5020, Norway
  • d EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Paseo Isabel La Católica 1-3, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain, Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, C/Sinesio Delgado 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain
  • e San Pablo Health Centre, C/Aguadores 7, Zaragoza, 50003, Spain
  • f EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Paseo Isabel La Católica 1-3, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain, Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain, Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, C/Sinesio Delgado 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain

Abstract

Objective: To compare the morbidity burden of immigrants and natives residing in Aragón, Spain, based on patient registries in primary care, which represents individuals' first contact with the health system. Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out, based on linking electronic primary care medical records to patients' health insurance cards. The study population consisted of the entire population assigned to general practices in Aragón, Spain (1,251,540 individuals, of whom 12% were immigrants). We studied the morbidity profiles of both the immigrant and native populations using the Adjusted Clinical Group System. Logistic regressions were conducted to compare the morbidity burden of immigrants and natives after adjustment for age and gender. Results: Our study confirmed the "healthy immigrant effect", particularly for immigrant men. Relative to the native population, the prevalence rates of the most frequent diseases were lower among immigrants. The percentage of the population showing a moderate to very high morbidity burden was higher among natives (52%) than among Latin Americans (33%), Africans (29%), western Europeans (27%), eastern Europeans and North Americans (26%) and/or Asians (20%). Differences were smaller for immigrants who had lived in the country for 5 years or longer. Conclusion: Length of stay in the host country had a decisive influence on the morbidity burden represented by immigrants, although the health status of both men and women worsened with longer stay in the host country. © 2014 SESPAS.

Author Keywords

electronic health records immigrants Primary health care health policy morbidity

Index Keywords

South and Central America Latin America Europe health disparity Health Status Disparities human epidemiology middle aged Asia statistics and numerical data comparative study Aged morbidity ethnology Young Adult Humans migrant Adolescent Infant, Newborn male Emigrants and Immigrants preschool child Spain Infant Child, Preschool newborn female Africa Electronic Health Records electronic health record Retrospective Studies adult retrospective study primary health care Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84919400056&doi=10.1016%2fj.gaceta.2014.07.007&partnerID=40&md5=f51f8a933f9133cec99a3fde27757d30
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2014.07.007
ISSN: 02139111
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English