Objectives This study investigates improvements as well as declines in health with four health measures for immigrants and native-born residents. Methods We used longitudinal data from Statistics Canada National Population Health Survey, which represented 8,474 native-born residents and 1,339 immigrants from 1994/95 to 2004/05. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to evaluate self-perceived health, chronic condition, health utility index, and body mass index. Results The results showed that some immigrants were more likely to report a decline in health, while others were more likely to report an improvement in health relative to native-born residents. For example, immigrants had a higher odds ratio of both reporting (1.63: 95 % CI 1.22-2.18) and no longer reporting (1.49: 95 % CI 1.04-2.14) a chronic condition in subsequent survey years than native-born residents. Conclusions Our finding may be attributable to immigrants inconsistently reporting, or a dichotomous health trajectory. Longitudinal data with physical measurements may be required to decipher our observations. © 2012 Swiss School of Public Health.

Health Canada immigrants Longitudinal survey data

longitudinal study human Longitudinal Studies middle aged statistics Population Groups comparative study health status Logistic Models Health Surveys chronic disease ethnic and racial groups Young Adult Humans Adolescent male Canada Emigrants and Immigrants female Article adult migration Utilization Review statistical model Delivery of Health Care body mass Body Mass Index health care delivery health survey