Unravelling migrants' health paradoxes: a transdisciplinary research agenda. Issue 9 (24th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roura, Maria
• Is Part Of: Journal of epidemiology and community health. Volume 71:Issue 9(2017)
• Page Start: 870
• Page End: 873
• Publication Date: 2017-07-24
• Subjects: Migrants’ heath -- ethnic studies -- social determinants of health -- participatory research methods -- qualitative methods -- trans-disciplinary research -- public and patient involvement; Public health -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1136/jech-2016-208439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-005X

Abstract

Abstract : The Social Determinants of Health literature has consistently found that a higher socioeconomic status is associated with better health outcomes even after adjusting for traditional risk factors. However, research findings in the field of Migrants' Health suggest that the socioeconomic/health gradient does not always behave as expected for migrants and their descendants. The mismatch of findings in these two long-standing parallel research traditions is exemplified by frequent reports of paradoxical findings in the scientific literature: the healthy migrant paradox, the ethnic density paradox and the diminishing returns paradox. This paper outlines a transdisciplinary research agenda to elucidate the social processes that underpin these disconcerting findings and calls for a shift from a pathogenic deficit model that sees migrants as a burden to their reconceptualisation as actively engaged citizens in search of solutions. Amidst a severe refugee crisis, fears of terrorist attacks and political capitalisation of these tragedies to foster antimigrant sentiments, this is urgently needed.