Summary. The aim of the study is to analyze health differences between migrants and indigenous population in Russia and other countries of the European region.

The information base of the study is European Social Survey and Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression models of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.

Statistically significant health differences between migrants and indigenous people of the same sex and age have been found in 13 European countries. In Belgium, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Latvia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Slovakia migrants tend to rate their health lower than the natives. In Israel a «healthy migrant effect» has been found.

As to Russia, it has been found that it is necessary to consider different types of migration (internal and external), as well as different health measures. Compared to native Russians, who have never moved to a different place of residence, internal migrants are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure.  External immigrants, who came to Russia from the European countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States have an increased risk of two or more chronic diseases. Internal migrants, as well as immigrants from Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova are significantly more likely to have weight problems. Immigrants from European and Asian Commonwealth of Independent States countries are more likely to smoke.

The results suggest that increasing migration flows both within and between countries require development of strategies aimed at improving migrants' health (or, at least, preventing its deterioration).

Keywords: migration; health inequality; European Social Survey; Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey; multivariate models

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