Exploring the Effect of Health on Migrants’ Social Integration in China

Bibliographic Data

ID15502002
AuthorsXiang Kang (0000-0002-5750-757X, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Mingxi Du (0000-0002-6831-4255, Xi'an Jiaotong University, corresponding author), Siqin Wang (0000-0002-1809-7088, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Haifeng Du (0000-0003-3391-5023, Xi'an Jiaotong University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue8
Pages4729-4729
Publication date2022-04-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19084729
PMID35457596
OpenAlexW4224060081
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited81

There are 376 million migrants, which account for more than 25% of the population in China according to the newest national demographic census, most of whom are from undeveloped areas to developed urban regions. Migrants' social integration was one of the most important issues when the country aimed to build an inclusive society. As a form of human capital, the effect of migrants' health status on social integration has rarely been explored until now, especially empirically. Previous studies have usually ignored health indicators when discussing the determinants of migrants' social integration, and understanding the role of migrants' physical health and mental health on their social integration is significant for efforts to ensure inclusive urbanization. For filling this research gap, the China Migrants Dynamic Survey dataset was used to uncover the role of migrants' health status, including physical health and mental health, in their degree of social integration, and a further comparison of impact was conducted among rural-urban and urban-urban migrants. Through the empirical analysis, our results indicated the following. First, both better physical and mental health lead to higher social integration levels, and a one-point increase in physical and mental health improves the odds of good social integration by 33.27% and 5.98% for belonging and 66.05% and 6.35% for harmony, respectively. Second, health status is equally important for rural-urban and urban-urban migrants' social integration, and the significant positive effect was consistent across groups, although some other impact factors may exhibit differences. Third, the effect of health status on social integration was moderated by social participation, which was more obvious for mental health than physical health. According to our findings, we discuss the measures to promote migrants' health status and additional countermeasures to improve their social integration level

China · Environmental health · Geography · Employment and Welfare Studies · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Migration and Labor Dynamics