Health of foreign-born people in the United States: a review

Abstract

This paper identifies the overarching patterns of immigrant health in the US. Most studies indicate that foreign-born individuals are in better health than native-born Americans, including individuals of the same race/ethnicity. They tend to have lower mortality rates and are less likely to suffer from circulatory diseases, overweight/obesity, and some cancers. However, many foreign-born groups have higher rates of diabetes, some infections, and occupational injuries. There is heterogeneity in health among immigrants, whose health increasingly resembles that of natives with duration of US residence. Prospective studies are needed to better understand migrant health and inform interventions for migrant health maintenance.