Elevated mortality among the second-generation (children of migrants) in Europe: what is going wrong? A review

Abstract

Introduction The ‘second-generation’ (i.e. the children of migrants) represent one of the fastest growing subpopulations of the child and young adult populations in Europe today. The research so far appears to indicate that their mortality risk is elevated relative to people with non-migrant backgrounds. Sources of data Peer-reviewed publications. Areas of agreement Second-generation status is a clear marker of elevated mortality risk in Europe in early life (including stillbirth, perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality) and adulthood, particularly if the parent(s) were born outside of Europe. Socioeconomic inequality plays an important, albeit rarely defining, role in these elevated risks. Areas of controversy It remains unclear what causes-of-death are driving these elevated mortality risks. The exact influence of (non-socioeconomic) explanatory factors (e.g. health care, racism & discrimination, and factors related to integration) on the elevated mortality risks of the second-generation also remains unclear. Growing points The second-generation will continue to grow and diversify in Europe; we must intervene to address these inequalities now. Areas timely for developing research Place more emphasis on the complexity of migration background, specific causes-of-death, and understanding the roles of explanatory factors beyond socioeconomic background.

Childhood socioeconomic background and elevated mortality among the young adult second generation in Sweden: a population-based cohort study

“…3 A recent review of mortality among the G2 in Europe describes an elevated risk of death in young to middle adulthood (between ages 15 and 64 years) compared with people born in a country to two parents born in that same country (a group henceforth referred to as the majority population). 4 G2 people-especially men-with parent(s) born outside of Europe, particularly the Middle East, Northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, have elevated mortality risks between these ages compared with the majority population. 4 Previous research has investigated this higher adult mortality risk of the G2 by focusing on its association with inequalities in their adult socioeconomic background (SEB)-particularly educational and labour market outcomes.…”

“…4 G2 people-especially men-with parent(s) born outside of Europe, particularly the Middle East, Northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, have elevated mortality risks between these ages compared with the majority population. 4 Previous research has investigated this higher adult mortality risk of the G2 by focusing on its association with inequalities in their adult socioeconomic background (SEB)-particularly educational and labour market outcomes. [5][6][7][8][9] These studies show that adult socioeconomic inequality among the G2 often explains a substantial part, but not all, of their higher mortality risk.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9] These studies show that adult socioeconomic inequality among the G2 often explains a substantial part, but not all, of their higher mortality risk. 4 However, this only explores a part of the lives of the G2. Less research has focused on the association of the higher adult mortality risks of the G2 with their childhood SEB, 10 a critical, formative part of the life course.…”

Revisiting the disproportionate COVID-19 mortality of ethnic minorities in light of the migrant mortality advantage

“…However, the existence of a mortality advantage in second-generation migrants has found no support in the literature. A review of recent studies from Europe has even disclosed a cross-generational “reversal” of the mortality advantage in comparison with the natives, with the observation of a systematic mortality disadvantage among second-generation migrants in their early life and adulthood ( 9 , 10 ).…”

“…This may be attributable to discrimination, potentially leading to stress, feelings of hopelessness, and risk-taking behaviors. The excess mortality of second generations in different European countries is an alarming consequence of this enduring disadvantage ( 10 ). For laying out sound policies, better insight is needed into the life outcomes of these populations, their behaviors, and their experience of discrimination and barriers in different life spheres.…”