Trends and Disparities in Mortality Among Spanish

Authors: J Moncho P PereyraZamora A Nolasco N TamayoFonseca I Melchor L Macia

Publish Date: 2014/07/26

Volume: 17, Issue: 5, Pages: 1374-1384

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Abstract

Spain’s immigrant population has increased 380  in the last decade accounting for 131  of the total population This fact has led her to become during 2009 the eighth recipient country of international immigrants in the world The aim of this article is to describe the evolution of mortality and the main causes of death among the Spanishborn and foreignborn populations residing in Spain between 1999 and 2008 Agestandardised mortality rates ASRs average age and comparative mortality ratios among foreignborn and Spanishborn populations residing in Spain were computed for every year and subperiod by sex cause of death and place of birth as well as by the ASR percentage change During 1999–2008 the ASR showed a progressive decrease in the risk of death in the Spanishborn population −178  for men and −166  for women as well as in the foreignborn one −459  for men and −357  for women ASR also showed a progressive decrease for practically all the causes of death in both populations It has been observed that the risk of death due to neoplasms and respiratory diseases among immigrants is lower than that of their Spanishborn counterparts but risk due to external causes is higher Places of birth with the greater decreases are Northern Europe Eastern Europe Western Europe Southern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean The research shows the differences in the reduction of death risk between Spanishborn and immigrant inhabitants between 1999 and 2008 These results could contribute to the ability of central and local governments to create effective health policy Further research is necessary to examine changes in mortality trends among immigrant populations as a consequence of the economic crisis and the reforms in the Spanish health system Spanish data sources should incorporate into their records information that enables them to find out the immigrant duration of permanence and the possible impact of this on mortality indicators

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