Variation in morbidity and mortality by country of birth in Northern Ireland.

The study of health differences between migrant and non-migrant groups is a potential source of insight into the causes of ill-health and can contribute to debates on the relative contribution of genetic or environmental factors in the aetiology of particular diseases. Often the most significant migrant groups to a country are those from neighbouring countries, yet these groups are only infrequently studied. While a substantial strand of epidemiological research has examined health outcomes for Irish and Scottish migrants to England and Wales and Irish migrants to Scotland, there has been little research into the health of migrant groups to Northern Ireland.

One potential reason for this lack of research is that traditionally high unemployment rates and local civil unrest have acted as a deterrent to inward population flows. However, there has been a recent increase in immigration with the 2001 Census recording that just under 9% of the resident population were born outside Northern Ireland. There are a number of reasons to study differences in health status between the host population and immigrant’s groups including the identification of potential health inequalities and inequities. The aim of this study is to explore differences in morbidity and mortality by country of birth amongst residents of Northern Ireland.

Publications:

Connolly, S., Rosato, M., Kinnear, H., and O’Reilly, D. (2011) Variation in mortality by country of birth in Northern Ireland: A record linkage study. Health & Place doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.03.001.

Other Outputs:

NILS Research Brief 5 June 2011: Variation in mortality by country of birth.