The impact of migrant integration policies on self-reported health of migrants in Europe : A cross-sectional study based on the 2018-wave of the European Social Survey and the Migrant Integration Policy Index

Abstract

Background: Migrants' health in Europe is often reported to be poorer than natives, and they are constantly exposed to very different integration policies, which change from country to country. As the WHO strongly supports a Health-in-All-Policies approach, this study wants to examine whether or not this approach is visible in migrants' health data. Method: This study uses data from the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) and the European Social Survey (ESS). In a multilevel analysis with three different models, data from 2018 from 7 452 migrants living in 28 European countries was examined. Control variables on the individual and country level were used to investigate the connection of different migrant integration policies on self-reported health. Results: More inclusive health policies have a positive and significant effect on the self-reported health of migrants, but only when controlling for variables on the individual level. All policies lose their significance when controlling additionally for political variables on the country level. Discussion: Possible effects of policies on health might not be absent but mediated by other individual and political factors. The inconclusive results call for more research in the political area to better understand the mechanisms that influence the health of migrants in Europe following a Health-in-All-Policies approach.