Immigrants lived healthier lives than their Australian-born
counterparts throughout the 1990s-with lower overall death and
hospitalisation rates, according to a new report released today by
the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report, Australian Health Inequalities: Birthplace, measured
the health of immigrants by classifying birthplace into several
large country groupings.
Death rates for immigrants were 10-15% lower during the 1990s
than for the Australian-born population, although rates for both
groups fell by over 20% during this 10-year period.
Asian-born immigrants had especially low death rates for
colorectal and prostate cancer, respiratory causes and suicide.
Immigrants also had lower hospitalisation rates-for example, in
1999-00 males born in the United Kingdom and Ireland or in Asia had
hospitalisation rates 27% lower than Australian-born males. Females
born in Asia had hospitalisation rates 25% lower than
Australian-born females.
Asian-born immigrants had lower rates of lifestyle-related
disease risk factors such as overweight and obesity, and excessive
alcohol consumption-but they also reported higher rates of
inactivity. Immigrants from European countries outside the UK and
Ireland also reported higher rates of inactivity.
Co-author of report, Michael de Looper, said the inequalities in
health between immigrants and the Australian-born population
reflects the 'healthy migrant effect': people in good health are
more likely to migrate than others. In Australia's case, this is
reinforced by health requirements for migrants. However, other risk
factors such as diet and tobacco smoking also play a role.
There are some instances where immigrants have higher death
rates than Australian-born people.
'Immigrants born in the United Kingdom and Ireland experience
higher rates of death from breast and lung cancer,' Mr de Looper
said.
'Also, some immigrant groups from Europe, the Pacific Islands
and Asia have higher diabetes mortality rates.
26 July 2002
Further information: Mr Michael de Looper,
AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1137,
or mobile: 0409 307 671
For media copies of the report: Publications Officer,
tel. 02 6244 1032
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.