The Healthy Migrant Phenomenon1 Katherine Fennelly2 Forthcoming in Walker and Barnett (Editors): Immigrant Medicine: A Comprehensive Reference for the Care of Refugees and Immigrants, Elsevier Press, Philadelphia

A growing body of literature describes what has come to be know as the ‘healthy migrant’ phenomenon—the fact that immigrants to the United States and Western European countries are often healthier than native-born residents in their new countries of residence. Over time many immigrants lose this health advantage for reasons that are not fully understood. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the literature on the health of first generation immigrants and on post-immigration experiences that may lead to tangible stresses that compromise health and well-being. We end with a series of recommendations regarding steps that providers can take to help immigrants maintain their initial health advantages.