209 Closing the equity gap in Health and Labor Market Integration: the impact of psychological and musculoskeletal health on refugees participating in the introduction program in Norway

Abstract OP 37: Health Status 3, B210 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 11:30 - 12:30 Aims To examine the impact of health burdens on the labor market integration of refugees in Norway. Specifically, how psychological and musculoskeletal symptoms during and after their participation in the Norwegian Introduction Program (IP) influence later work participation and income. Methods Longitudinal health registry data from 60,325 refugees who completed the IP between 2005 and 2018 were combined with 2020 measures of work participation and income from Statistics Norway. First, the prevalence of health burdens, psychological and musculoskeletal diagnoses, during and after the IP were estimated. Then, logistic and multiple linear regression models were used to assess the impact of health burdens during and after the IP, on later labor outcomes, controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results The findings reveal that 20.2% of refugees received psychological diagnoses and 42.6% received musculoskeletal diagnoses during the IP. Post-IP, these figures increased to 26.7% and 55.4%, respectively. Refugees with diagnoses during the IP were less likely to be employed and had lower incomes in 2020 compared with refugees?without diagnoses during the IP. However, musculoskeletal diagnoses post-IP were associated with higher employment and income. Conclusions Health burdens are prevalent among refugees during the IP, significantly impacting later labor participation. The study suggests integrating health-promoting activities into the IP to better support refugees’ health and improve their chances of successful labor market integration. The results indicate that addressing both psychological and musculoskeletal health issues is crucial for enhancing refugees’ overall well-being and economic integration.