The healthy migrant hypothesis supported by the 'Hispanic paradox' suggests that immigrants are healthier than non-immigrants. To test the generalizabilityof this hypothesis, we studied the stress-associated health status of adult immigrants with a language barrier in the USA. Three stress-related conditions (Unhappiness, Depression, and Anxiety) and self-reported health status were ascertained from participants of the Community Tracking Study Health Survey conducted in 2003. The associations between these conditions as well as theimmigrants' length of time living in the USA and health were assessed. Our results demonstrated that the three stress-related conditions were significantly associated witha dramatically elevated poor health status (Unhappiness: OR = 5.22, 95% CI: 4.43-6.14; Depression: OR = 3.03,95% CI: 2.31-3.98; Anxiety: OR = 5.12, 95% CI: 3.53- 7.41). Compared to US citizens without a language barrier,immigrants with a language barrier were more likely toreport poor health (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.66-2.78). Afteradjustment for stressors, the likelihood of reporting poor health among immigrants with a language barrier decreasedsignificantly (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.05-2.91). In addition,these immigrants were more likely to report poor healthwithin the first 10 years of their living in the USA(≤ 5 years: OR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.94-4.02; 6-10 years:OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.86-3.86). In summary, immigrantswho have a language barrier were generally more stressed,especially at the beginning of their lives as immigrants. The combined effect of stress and a language barrier led to poorer health in these immigrants. Thus, the healthy migrant hypothesis may not be generalizable to this population. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.

Emigration and immigration Stress Health status

anxiety depression Communication Barriers psychological aspect human communication disorder middle aged Stress, Psychological mental stress health status language Hispanic Americans Happiness United States Humans Hispanic male Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics Article adult migration