Rural-to-Urban Moves and Changes in Health Status among Young Thai Migrants: Distinguishing “True” Migration Effects from Selection Factors and Secular Change

Elizabeth Nauman, Tulane University
Umaporn Pattaravanich, Mahidol University
Sureeporn Punpuing, Mahidol University
Mark VanLandingham, Tulane University

This study examines the impact of rural-to-urban migration on the physical and mental health of young adults in Thailand. We employ a longitudinal research design and assess health status – plus a wide range of other characteristics – at two points in time. Our principal group of interest is young adults who resided in rural Kanchanaburi province at baseline and moved to an urban destination during the two-year period between survey waves. In 2005, a household-based census of young adults was conducted in 100 villages in Kanchanaburi province. During the follow-up census in 2007, those who remained in Kanchanaburi were re-interviewed, comprising a comparison group of non-migrants. Those who moved to urban areas were followed-up at destination. The comparison group is used to control for a priori differences in health status between migrants and non-migrants and for secular trends in health affecting the entire population.