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Migration and health in China: Linking sending and host societies

Wang, S; Hu, Y; (2019) Migration and health in China: Linking sending and host societies. Population Space and Place , 25 (6) , Article e2231. 10.1002/psp.2231. Green open access

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Abstract

China's large-scale internal migration has stimulated ongoing debates about consequences of geographical mobility for population health. Although existing research predominantly focused on migrants' health in host societies, the complex relationship between migration and health throughout the full migratory cycle remains understudied. Analysing data from 2010 China General Social Survey (N = 1,660), we investigate variations in migrants' physical and mental health across four distinct migratory stages—intended, temporary, permanent, and return migration. Supporting the “healthy migrant” and “salmon” hypotheses, we found that intended migrants have better health than rural residents with no migration intention, and migrants have better health than return migrants. The health disparity between nonmigrants and migrants is largely explained by selective demographic and socio-economic traits, but not health behaviours. Rural-to-urban migration is associated with adverse health outcomes, particularly among permanent migrants. The findings suggest potential health risks associated with rural-to-urban migration and migrant assimilation in urban China.

Type: Article
Title: Migration and health in China: Linking sending and host societies
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1002/psp.2231
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.2231
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: China, health, health behaviour, hukou, migration, socio-economic status
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Social Research Institute
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10210778
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