Emerging Themes in Epidemiology
Volume 8, 2011

What do we have to know from migrants' past exposures to understand their health status? A life course approach (Article) (Open Access)

Spallek J.* , Zeeb H. , Razum O.
  • a Bielefeld University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, Universitätsstrae 25, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany, Bremen Institute for Prevention Research and Social Medicine (BIPS), Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Unit of Social Epidemiology, Achterstrae 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
  • b Bremen Institute for Prevention Research and Social Medicine (BIPS), Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Unit of Social Epidemiology, Achterstrae 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
  • c Bielefeld University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, Universitätsstrae 25, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany

Abstract

Empirical findings show that morbidity and mortality risks of migrants can differ considerably from those of populations in the host countries. However, while several explanatory models have been developed, most migrant studies still do not consider explicitly the situation of migrants before migration. Here, we discuss an extended approach to understand migrant health comprising a life course epidemiology perspective. The incorporation of a life course perspective into a conceptual framework of migrant health enables the consideration of risk factors and disease outcomes over the different life phases of migrants, which is necessary to understand the health situation of migrants and their offspring. Comparison populations need to be carefully selected depending on the study questions under consideration within the life course framework. Migrant health research will benefit from an approach using a life course perspective. A critique of the theoretical foundations of migrant health research is essential for further developing both the theoretical framework of migrant health and related empirical studies. © 2011 Spallek et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

life course epidemiology Migrant health Migrants

Index Keywords

lifestyle progeny Population Dynamics human risk assessment medical research health status morbidity epidemiological data hygiene conceptual framework environmental factor environmental exposure socioeconomics genotype environment interaction Article health care migration population exposure life course epidemiology dietary intake mortality natural disaster
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80051577541&doi=10.1186%2f1742-7622-8-6&partnerID=40&md5=e0b1b0eeb42dda81d52e19b6fd09d873
DOI: 10.1186/1742-7622-8-6
ISSN: 17427622
Cited by: 120
Original Language: English