Research tracks health changes in young South African migrants
A longitudinal study of 3,000 young adults from rural Mpumalanga, South Africa, shows that migration influences health in complex ways. Conducted by South African and US researchers, the Migrant Health Follow-Up Study finds that health changes vary by condition and are shaped by individual traits and destination circumstances. This highlights the nuanced relationship between migration, urbanisation, and health in South Africa.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-09-21
A study tracking about 3,000 young adults aged 18 to 40 from the Agincourt sub-district in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, has found that migration in South Africa is widespread and linked to changes in health, but these effects differ by health outcome and individual circumstances.
Since 2018, researchers from the South African Medical Research Council/Wits Agincourt Unit and Brown University have followed participants through home visits and telephone interviews, collecting data on migration, employment, health, and service use. Health assessments included blood pressure, weight, HIV status, and mental health indicators.
The study highlights that migration cannot be viewed as a single health exposure with uniform effects. Factors such as who moves, where they move to, and how long they stay away influence health outcomes. This research clarifies the complex links between migration, urbanisation, and health, offering important insights for addressing chronic conditions and healthcare access in South Africa.