Origin differences in self-reported health among older migrants living in France

Objectives: Little is known about the health status of older migrants living in Europe. Using detailed data collected in 2003, we investigate differences in health status by origin country within the older immigrant population living in France using a self-rated health measure. Study design: The database used in this research is the ‘Passage à la Retraite des Immigrés' survey, conducted from November 2002 to February 2003 on a sample of 6,211 migrants aged 45 to 70 and living in France at the time of survey. Methods: A difficulty with the self-rated outcome is that it may not be comparable between different origin groups, in particular because of cultural and linguistic differences. We thus estimate generalized ordered Probit models and construct for each respondent an indicator of health net of cross-cultural effects. Results: Male immigrants from Southern Africa and Asia and female immigrants from Northern Europe, Southern Africa and Asia are more likely to be in good health, while the health status is lower among immigrants from Eastern Europe living in France. Conclusion: The diversity in health status within the immigrant population is large in France. These results are helpful in order to target the more disadvantaged origin groups and to adjust the provision of health care.