Trends in migrant mortality rates in Australia 1981-2007: a focus on the National Health Priority Areas other than cancer.
BACKGROUND
Migrants generally have more favourable mortality outcomes than the Australian-born population. The aim of this study is to update knowledge and inform future research in this field by examining mortality from musculoskeletal conditions, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, injuries and mental conditions between 1981 and 2007 among migrants in Australia.


METHODS
Average annual sex- and age-standardised mortality rates were calculated for each migrant group, period of death registration and cause of death.


CONCLUSIONS
Mortality rates decreased among most groups for asthma, cardiovascular disease and motor vehicle accidents, with rates diverging in the later time periods. The reverse was true for mental disorders, where Australian-born individuals experienced the greatest increase in mortality. Migrants generally displayed more favourable mortality outcomes than their Australian-born counterparts. Migrants from Southern Europe appeared to have the greatest advantage. However, some migrants appeared to be over-represented in the areas of diabetes, suicide and mental health.
a Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), School of Dentistry , The University of Adelaide , Adelaide , Australia.
Olga
O
Anikeeva
Peng
P
Bi
Janet E
JE
Hiller
Philip
P
Ryan
David
D
Roder
Gil-Soo
GS
Han
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000208:ethnology*; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
Australia; migrants; mortality; trends