The health of Antillean migrants in the Netherlands: a comparison with the health of non-migrants in both the countries of origin and destination

• Published in: International health Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 258 - 267
• Main Authors: Verstraeten, Soraya P A, van den Brink, Carolien L, Mackenbach, Johan P, van Oers, Hans A M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01-07-2018
• Subjects: Health status disparities; Netherlands; Cross-sectional studies; Health behaviour; Minority health
• ISSN: 1876-3413; 1876-3405
• DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihy026

Abstract
Background
This article examines risk factor and health differences between Antillean migrants in the Netherlands and Antillean and Dutch non-migrants, and relates these findings to four commonly used explanations for migrant health disparities.
Methods
Nationally representative data from the 2012 Dutch Public Health Monitor and the 2013 National Health Survey Curaçao was used. The weighted rates were calculated and significance assessed using the χ2 test. Logistic regression analyses were used to compare health behaviours and outcomes between Antillean migrants and the non-migrant populations.
Results
Overall, Antillean migrants had poorer physical and mental health than Antillean and Dutch non-migrants. For overweight/obesity and tobacco and alcohol use, Antillean migrants had rates in-between those of the Antillean and Dutch non-migrants. The poor health of Antillean migrants persisted in the second generation, who were born in the Netherlands.
Conclusions
Patterns of differences in physical and mental health among the study populations were suggestive of a ‘stressful environment’ effect. The poorer health of Antillean migrants may be partly determined by host-country-specific stressors, such as perceived discrimination, spatial concentration in multi-ethnic neighbourhoods and reduced social mobility.