Deutsches Arzteblatt
Volume 104, Issue 23, 2007, Pages A1655-A1661

Mortality of immigrants from the former Soviet Union: Results of a cohort study [Mortalität von aussiedlern aus der ehemaligen Sowjetunion: Ergebnisse einer kohortenstudie] (Article)

Becher H.* , Razum O. , Kyobutungi C. , Laki J. , Ott J.J. , Ronellenfitsch U. , Winkler V.
  • a Hygiene-Institut, Abteilung Tropenhygiene und Öffentliches Gesundheitswesen, Universität Heidelberg, Germany, Hygiene-Institut, Abteilung Tropenhygiene und Öffentliches Gesundheitswesen, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
  • b Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Arbeitsgruppe 3: Epidemiologie and International Public Health, Universität Bielefeld, Germany
  • c African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Shelter Afrique Center, Nairobi, Kenya
  • d Hygiene-Institut, Abteilung Tropenhygiene und Öffentliches Gesundheitswesen, Universität Heidelberg, Germany
  • e Hygiene-Institut, Abteilung Tropenhygiene und Öffentliches Gesundheitswesen, Universität Heidelberg, Germany
  • f Chirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum, Germany
  • g Hygiene-Institut, Abteilung Tropenhygiene und Öffentliches Gesundheitswesen, Universität Heidelberg, Germany

Abstract

Introduction: More than 2 million resetters of German origin have migrated from the former Soviet Union to Germany since 1990. Since mortality in the country of origin is very high, and since migration implies a physiological and psychological challenge, an increase in mortality, in particular for cardiovascular diseases and non-natural deaths was hypothesized. Methods: A cohort of immigrants (n = 34 393) was followed up from January 1st 1990 until December 31 2002. Standardized mortality ratios for the cohort were calculated in comparison to German rates for all causes of death, selected cancers, cardiovascular diseases, external causes of death such as suicides, accidents, other external causes and deaths attributable to psychoactive substance use. Results: Immigrants have a significant lower overall mortality than native Germans, which is particular low for cardiovascular diseases in both sexes and for cancer in females. The risk of death due to non-natural causes is significantly higher among males. Discussion: The increased mortality due to non-natural causes highlights underlying integration problems. Results for cardiovascular death sare are contrary to expectations. Causal factors for this pattern are not known and require further investigation.

Author Keywords

Migration migrant Epidemiology Cohort study Mortality

Index Keywords

Germany immigrant USSR psychotropic agent cause of death Article follow up human risk assessment mortality cardiovascular disease
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34447284989&partnerID=40&md5=f62d71f7c68d3d6193fc143255685d59
ISSN: 00121207
Cited by: 30
Original Language: German