Chronic Health Condition of Asian Migrants to Australia: A Longitudinal Investigation

Samba Siva Rao Pasupuleti, Deakin University Australia
Santosh Jatrana, Deakin University Australia

Present study investigates chronic health condition of Asian migrants to Australia and changes in their health as their length of stay increases in Australia, in comparison to other foreign-born and the native people. Data on four chronic health conditions - cardio vascular disease (CVD), respiratory problems, cancer and diabetes mellitus - collected in waves 3, 7 and 9 of Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey have been for this purpose. Random effects logistic regression models were used for the analysis. Study findings showed that Healthy immigrant effect (HIE) exists for Asian immigrants with respect to cancer, CVD and respiratory problems, and they do not have HIE with respect to diabetes. Except for respiratory problems, their health advantage with regard to various chronic health conditions erodes as their length of stay increases in Australia.