Wallace, M. & Kulu, H. (2015) British Society for Population Studies, Univ of Leeds, UK, 7 - 9 September 2015 [ONS LS]

Other information:
Poster presentation
Abstract:

Recent UK research has found evidence of a healthy migrant effect, where migrants have low mortality relative to the host population. While use of all-cause mortality is important to uncover group differences, it can mask variation in deaths from certain causes. Low overall mortality can coexist with high mortality from specific diseases. The aim of this study is to move beyond all-cause mortality and research differences in the causes of death of migrants using a large, longitudinal sample (the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study). Survival analysis is used to study the mortality of 500,000 individuals. The study reports on the three main disease groups which account for the largest number of deaths in the UK (7 of every 10): cardiovascular diseases (CVD), respiratory diseases and cancers. Analysis finds low mortality in migrants, regardless of ethnic background, from cancers, respiratory diseases and other causes. There is greater variation in mortality from CVD, with high CVD rates in Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis (which can be accounted for by social background), low rates in Chinese, White and Other migrants and low CVD mortality in Black migrants which is masked by social background. Importantly, CVD is also the predominant cause of death in Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi migrants; this differs from the host population and other migrant groups, whose predominant cause of death is from cancers. Discussion focuses on genetic susceptibility to diseases, health and lifestyle behaviours which are known risk factors for diseases, and unique characteristics of the origin and host environments.

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Output from project: 0301579