In 2000 approximately 25% of Australians were born in an overseas country (ABS 2001). People born overseas are generally in good health on their arrival in Australia because of the rigorous health checks they are subjected to to be eligible for migration. Studies have shown that for many conditions migrants have better health status and use fewer health services than the Australian-born population. It has also been shown that for some conditions this 'healthy migrant effect' wanes as their length of time in Australia increases.
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