Health risks among long-term immigrants in Norway with poor Norwegian language proficiency

Poor health among immigrants has been associated with longer duration of residence in the host country, poor host language proficiency and low education. However, the interplay among these factors is under-studied.

To assess health among immigrants in Norway by combinations of duration of residence, Norwegian language proficiency and education.

In 2015/2016 Statistics Norway carried out two cross-sectional Living Conditions Surveys in the general adult population (N=5703, response rate 59%) and among immigrants from 12 countries, with ⩾2 years of residence (N=3993, response rate 54%). Health outcomes (poor self-reported health, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, mental health problems, back/neck pain) were assessed with logistic regressions according to combinations of duration of residence, Norwegian language proficiency and education.

Negative health conditions were more common among immigrants than in the general population, and varied by duration of residence, proficiency in the Norwegian language and education. In age- and sex-adjusted regressions, immigrants had higher odds of all negative health conditions, except hypertension, regardless of their duration of residence, proficiency of the Norwegian language and educational level. Immigrants with a long duration of residence and poor proficiency in the Norwegian language had the highest odds of negative health conditions.

Special attention is warranted towards health among immigrants who have lived in Norway the longest without acquiring good Norwegian language proficiency.