Nativity is not often considered in the study of health disparities. We conducted a cross-sectional, parent-reported survey of demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, healthcare access, and health conditions in New York City schoolchildren (n = 9029). US-born children with US-born parents (US/US) had higher socioeconomic status, better access to healthcare, and reported higher rates of disease diagnoses compared to US-born children with immigrant parents and to immigrant children. Dental cavities were the only condition in which US/US children reported lower prevalence. US/US children had the best healthcare access, most favorable parent-reported health status and highest rate of satisfaction with healthcare. The magnitude of racial/ethnic disparities varied based on nativity of the children being compared. Factors such as the healthy immigrant effect and differential diagnosis rates may explain the results. In conclusion, nativity influences disease burdens and should be considered in health disparities studies. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

immigrants families Health outcomes minorities healthcare access

Parents consumer attitude Consumer Behavior health disparity Health Status Disparities minority group human Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study migrant Humans New York Adolescent Minority Groups male Emigrants and Immigrants preschool child female Child, Preschool child health health care quality New York City Quality of Health Care Health Services Accessibility child parent relation health care delivery Child