Migration and health. Theoretical foundations, empirical findings, and public health responses using the example of Germany
- Migrants and their offspring, referred to as people with a migration background in this article, are an utmost heterogeneous group whose health situation can be better, similar or worse compared to the health of the population without a migration background. A better understanding of the health of people with a migration background requires the consideration of their individual life course as well as several additional explanatory factors. The latter include, for instance, their social position, age, and gender, as well as the policies, health care system, social climate, living situation, and length of stay in the destination country. Particularly promising public health strategies for migrant health include a combination of migration sensitive and migration specific offers, setting approaches, and inclusionary public health approaches that critically reflect on mechanisms of othering, marginalization, and exclusion.