How does rural-urban migration influence subjective physical health outcomes?
DuringApartheid, black South Africans were not allowed to permanently relocate to urban areas, but instead were forced to retain ties to rural ‘homelands’. These ties led to the development ofoscillatingorcirculartrends of rural-urban migration. Today, these patterns of oscillating migration are still highly prevalent. While rural-urban migration is often associated with improved access to healthcare, living standards, education levels, and favourable employment opportunities, the migration process may also present new physical health risks. These risks may be introduced through the failure to attain either urban employment or adequate housing.The following blog reflects on the impact of rural-urban migration on the physical health of the sampled South African migrant group.