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Immigrant Selection Systems and Immigrant Health

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  • Chiswick, Barry R.

    (George Washington University)

  • Lee, Yew Liang

    (University of Western Australia)

  • Miller, Paul W.

    (Curtin University)

Abstract

This paper is an analysis of the determinants of self-reported health status of immigrants, with a particular focus on type of visa used to gain admission. The concept of “health capital” and an immigrant selection and adjustment model are employed. The empirical analysis uses the three waves of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia (panel I). Immigrant health is greater for immigrants who are younger, more educated, male, more proficient in English, and living outside of an immigrant ethnic enclave. Immigrant health is poorest for refugees and best for independent (economic) migrants, and declines with duration in the destination. There is, therefore, evidence for favorable selectivity on the basis of health status among family and especially independent migrants, as well as a tendency toward “regression to the mean” with duration in the destination.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiswick, Barry R. & Lee, Yew Liang & Miller, Paul W., 2006. "Immigrant Selection Systems and Immigrant Health," IZA Discussion Papers 2345, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp2345
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    health status; immigrants; longitudinal data; visa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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