Cultural differences affect health of first-generation migrants

This is the degree to which the culture of the host country and the country of origin differ. The bigger the cultural distance, the worse a person’s health.

On the basis of a European survey, experts determined the cultural distance between a number of countries. “The way people think about religion, work, national identity, family and life in general are all factors determining the cultural distance,” researcher Jens Detollenaere told De Morgen.

The difference between Belgium and the Netherlands, for example, is very small, while the cultural distance with countries such as Morocco and Egypt is large.

The research shows that people who migrate to a country which is far from their country of origin, culturally speaking, are less healthy later in life.

“A possible explanation is that migrants who are further from the mainstream culture experience more problems in searching for the right information, are less easily reached by screening campaigns and have more trouble to access the right care,” said Detollenaere.

The effect is particularly notable among first-generation migrants. Among second-generation migrants, there is no significant correlation.

The researchers say the results could help policy-makers improve how they provide information to the groups they hope to reach, and improve training for doctors and nurses.

© Jutta Benzenberg/World Bank