Explaining health and healthcare utilisation of ethnic minorities in the Netherlands: A longitudinal perspective

Increasing ethnic diversity is a characteristic of Western societies. This thesis examines changes in mental and general health and use of healthcare services of two di¬fferent types of ethnic minority groups currently living in the Netherlands, namely traditional immigrant groups (originating from labour and decolonisation migration) and refugees who resettled in the Netherlands (fleeing countries at war, or persecution). This work highlights the role of social and environmental factors in changes in health care utilisation and health status of ethnic minorities in the Netherlands. Employment situation, experienced difficulties in daily life and perceived discrimination were among the primary factors influencing changes in health and health care use.