Objective: Reducing inequalities in health is one of the main objectives in any healthcare system. Several studies have analyzed inequalities in health in the Spanish population. However, the empirical evidence for the immigrant population is still insufficient. This study aim to quantify socioeconomic inequalities in health in the immigrant population living in Spain, in comparison with the national population. Methods: To measure socioeconomic inequalities in health, we used a methodology based on the Concentration Index with data from the 2003 and 2006 Spanish National Health Surveys. Results: According to the results there were socioeconomic inequalities in health for the health variables considered favoring high-income individuals. However, inequalities were lower for the immigrant subgroup than for the national population, although the magnitude of inequalities considerably increased between 2003 and 2006 for the immigrant population. Conclusions: This study shows the importance of socioeconomic position in explaining differences in health both in the national and in the immigrant population and provides evidence that could be used to design appropriate strategies to reduce inequalities in health in the immigrant collective in Spain. © 2009 SESPAS.

immigrants Health limitations Spain Socioeconomic inequalities Mental health Self-assessed health

health disparity Health Status Disparities human middle aged statistics comparative study Aged Health Surveys Young Adult income Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics Health Status Indicators Article adult migration health survey