Health determinants among refugees in Austria and Germany: A propensity-matched comparative study for Syrian, Afghan, and Iraqi refugees

In recent years, Germany and Austria have been among the leading European receiving countries for asylum seekers refugees (AS&R). The two cultural economic similarities, but differ, example, in their health care systems, with AS&R having unrestricted access to services upon arrival Austria, not Germany. This study investigates determinants of Germany, how these differ between countries. We analyze comparable harmonized survey data from both Syrian, Afghan, Iraqi nationals aged 18 59 years who had immigrated 2013 2016 (Germany: n = 2,854; Austria: 374). adopts a cross-sectional design, uses propensity score matching examine results reveal that (72%) were significantly less likely report being (very) good than peers (89%). Age education large impacts on health, whereas effects length stay process smaller. Compositional differences terms age, sex, nationality, education, partnership situation explained country only part. After applying adjust structural assess non-confounded effects, probability reporting was still 12 percentage points lower Austria. conclude many correspond those non-migrant population, thus call implementation similar policies. disadvantage found suggests removing initially restricted may improve health.