Ethnic Density Effect

Migrants in Sweden generally display the healthy migrant effect, showing lower overall cancer incidence and cancer-related mortality than the native-born population. Register data lacked information on individual social ties or community support structures, preventing definitive conclusions about ethnic density mechanisms. Prior Swedish studies have shown favourable health outcomes for non-Western migrants residing in high migrant density areas. Social bonds and community support networks within concentrated migrant communities may be protective, providing tangible resources, better coping strategies, and encouragement for timely care-seeking. The ethnic density protective pattern for non-Western migrants broke down during the pandemic, when they showed significantly higher readmission rates in high-density neighbourhoods.