Immigration and social exclusion: examining health inequalities of immigrants through acculturation lenses

Over the last three decades, the number of people migrating from developing to developed countries has been increasing in stepwise fashion as a result of insecurity, war and poverty. Such mass population movement has resulted in dramatic demographic transformations of most developed countries (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2007). The latest demographic data indicate that about 4 million new immigrants entered OECD countries on a permanent basis in 2005, an increase of 10 per cent from 2004 (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2007). In Australia, the 2006 census data indicate that more than one in five Australians (22.2 per cent) were born overseas, a pattern that has remained constant since 1996. The overseas-born population increased in number between 1996 and 2006 by 13 per cent, from around 3.9 million to 4.4 million (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2007d). Although a considerable proportion of Australian residents born overseas (including refugees and humanitarian entrants) come from countries recently affected by war and political unrest (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2007d), at a global level, migration for family reunion is the dominant reason for the inflows, and labour immigration is expanding, while humanitarian migration (including refugees and asylum seekers) has been declining (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2007). Regardless of their migration status, cultural differences and different expectations characterise new settlers in Australia and other OECD countries. New entrants experience varying inequalities ranging from difficulties establishing social networks, finding accommodation or employment, learning English, and looking after their general health.