Pre-conference: Health behaviours among migrants in Europe – what do we know?

Wednesday 20 November, 13:30 - 17:00, Room Morgiou

Organised by:

French Collaborative Institute on Migrations and EUPHA Section Migrant and ethnic minority health 

Short description

Background. Although migration policies are everyday more restrictive in Europe, migrants are far from enduring only this harsh context: as persons, they develop coping strategies and remain actors of their health. Health behaviours are a particularly interesting angle to study how migrants’ agency can interact with what they experience in their host country.

Important disparities in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases exist between migrant groups and natives, varying according to what migrant group and which host country are under consideration. However, data on health behaviours that may contribute to these health inequalities are limited and inconsistent. As a matter of fact, there is mixed evidence regarding patterns of health behaviours during the course of migration: whereas migrants coming from poorer countries mostly have better health behaviours than native populations in terms of smoking and alcohol consumption for instance, it is also true that new dietary habits and lifestyles can negatively influence their health. Furthermore, it has to be noted that people arriving in Europe in difficult or violent circumstances could disproportionately experience addictive behaviours.

Also, although the notion of acculturation has often been used to describe how migrants progressively adopt norms and lifestyles that are predominant in their host country, the definition and the measurement of this concept is challenging and a matter of scientific debate.

This preconference workshop aims to discuss current knowledge and knowledge gaps on health behaviours among migrants in Europe.

Issues to be addressed. What is the recent evidence on migrants’ patterns of health behaviours in Europe? Do the results point in the same direction, regardless of the field considered (sexual health, tobacco and alcohol consumption, nutrition)? How can the recent context of migration in Europe influence patterns of health behaviours?

Discussion. Presentations based on data collected in different countries will be followed by a discussion, which will aim to favour exchanges between the participants as well as discussions regarding future research perspectives.

Programme

Registration fee

The registration fee is € 70 which includes networking lunch and refreshments.