Paul Dourgnon

Indigenous people experience poorer mental health compared to the general population. Socioeconomic gaps partly explain these disparities. However, the variability between indigneous and nonindigenous populations in French overseas territories is understudied. This study examines the prevalence of mental health problems among Indigenous people in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, describing and comparing it with that of their counterparts while considering associated factors.

Authors used the data from the cross-sectional Mental Health in the General Population survey in the only 3 sites for which information on indigenous status was available: Noumea (2006) and the Bush (2008) in New Caledonia, and French Polynesia (2015-2017). Current mental health issues were screened using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The study considered the following factors: gender, age, education level, marital status, occupational activity and monthly income.

Findings: Overall, 2,294 participants were analyzed. Among the 1,379 indigenous participants, 52.3% had at least one mental health issue. The prevalence of depressive disorder (18.0% vs. 11.7%), alcohol use disorder (16.7% vs. 11.7%), and suicide risk (22.3% vs. 16.7%) were higher among indigenous participants compared to nonindigenous participants. After adjustment, the association between indigenous status and these mental health issues did not persist, except for alcohol use disorder.

The authors found higher prevalence of depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and suicide risk among indigenous people of French Polynesia and New Caledonia compared to their counterparts. These differences seemed largely explained by socioeconomic disparities. Future studies could explore the use of and access to health care by indigenous populations.
 

​Summary: Evidence indicates presence of immigrant health disparities in the European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.). Authors examined the association between immigrant health policies and the gap in health status, unmet needs, and service use between immigrants and citizens in the EU and U.S.

Researchers used the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), European Health Interview Survey, and National Health Interview Survey for 2014. Their independent variables of interest were MIPEX Health strand score and citizenship. Their dependent variables were four measures of health status (self-reported poor health; severely limited in general activities; two or more comorbidities; one or more ambulatory care sensitive conditions) and four measures of health access and utilization (unmet need due to nonfinancial reasons; could not afford needed health care; one or more primary care visits last year; any hospitalization last year).

Findings: Authors found that immigrant-friendly health policies were significantly associated with better health and less unmet need due to nonfinancial reasons. Findings supported the promotion of immigrant-friendly and a "Health-in-All Policies" (HiAP) approach to preserve the health of immigrants.

Read the Publication:

• Journal Article: European Immigrant Health Policies, Immigrants’ Health, and Immigrants’ Access to Healthcare