PhD Defence Su Yeon Jang

Despite the growing presence of immigrants in aging societies, limited attention has been paid to how immigrants age and how their health trajectories evolve in later life. This thesis addresses this gap by examining whether immigrants age in better or poorer health in receiving societies compared to the native-born and how these patterns translate into differences in life expectancy and years lived in good health. The thesis therefore draws on five studies from Europe and the United States (US). The findings collectively suggest that although immigrants tend to live longer and spend more years in good health than native-born populations, they are more vulnerable to age-related health deterioration and receive only limited protection from socioeconomic and family resources. As a result, in later life, and particularly once chronic conditions emerge, immigrants are more likely to develop additional chronic conditions and to spend longer periods living with functional limitations. This thesis moves beyond conventional views of immigrant health by showing that longer lives do not necessarily translate into healthier aging, particularly in contexts of socioeconomic disadvantage. These findings highlight the importance of policies that address the social conditions shaping health in later life and support healthy aging in increasingly diverse societies.