International Journal of Public Health
Volume 56, Issue 5, 2011, Pages 503-514

Inequality in self-rated health among immigrants, their descendants and ethnic Danes: Examining the role of socioeconomic position (Article)

Dinesen C.* , Nielsen S.S. , Mortensen L.H. , Krasnik A.
  • a Danish Research Centre for Migration Ethnicity and Health (MESU), Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, PO Box 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • b Danish Research Centre for Migration Ethnicity and Health (MESU), Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, PO Box 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • c Section for Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • d Danish Research Centre for Migration Ethnicity and Health (MESU), Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, PO Box 2099, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Abstract

Objectives We investigated inequalities in self-rated health between immigrants, their descendants, and ethnic Danes and explored mediation by socioeconomic position and interactions between country of origin and socioeconomic position. Methods Cross-sectional survey data on self-rated health from 4,985 individuals aged 18-66 years including immigrants from seven non-Western countries, their descendants, and ethnic Danes was linked to registry-based data on education, employment status, and income as indicators of socioeconomic position. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we estimated the association between country of origin and self-rated health. Results Immigrants reported poorer health compared with ethnic Danes [age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.0-7.3 for men; 2.1-10.5 for women, dependent on country of origin] as well as their descendants (OR = 1.6-3.8 for men; 1.5-2.0 for women). Adjustment for socioeconomic position attenuated this association. Stratified analysis indicated that the effect of socioeconomic position on self-rated health varied across the groups. Conclusion Policies addressing inequalities in health between immigrants, their descendants, and ethnic Danes should target underlying socioeconomic inequalities. Further research of the effects of socioeconomic position on health among immigrants and descendants is needed. © Swiss School of Public Health 2011.

Author Keywords

socioeconomic position Mediator immigrants Descendants Inequality self-rated health

Index Keywords

educational status human Self Report middle aged Denmark Ethnic Groups ethnic group health status Aged ethnology family size Family Characteristics Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire Article Questionnaires adult migration social class employment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80955151506&doi=10.1007%2fs00038-011-0264-6&partnerID=40&md5=4b49bdb78c50ebdf31b1789b21220ab0
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-011-0264-6
ISSN: 16618556
Cited by: 29
Original Language: English