HEALTH INEQUALITIES RELATED TO IMMIGRATION IN FRANCE: IMPACT OF LIVING CONDITIONS OR HEALTHY MIGRANT EFFECT?

Using the data of the 2002-2003 insee decennial health survey, this article aims to analyse the links between nationality, migration and health status in France. The findings show health inequalities related to immigration in favor of the native population living in France. Those inequalities are the result of a selection effect at migration counterbalanced by a deleterious impact of migration, partly due to the poor socioeconomic conditions of migrants in France. We also observe a long term effect of the economic and sanitary characteristics of country of birth that contributes to explain the heterogeneity of health status among immigrants.