Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 10, Issue 6, 2008, Pages 475-488

Health status of mexican-origin persons: Do proxy measures of acculturation advance our understanding of health disparities? (Article)

Carter-Pokras O.* , Zambrana R.E. , Yankelvich G. , Estrada M. , Castillo-Salgado C. , Ortega A.N.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland College Park School of Public Health, 1240D HHP Bldg., College Park, MD 20742, United States, 9509 Saginaw Street, Silver Spring, MD 20901, United States
  • b Department of Women's Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
  • c Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
  • d Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • e Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, United States
  • f School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Objectives: This paper compares select health status indicators between the U.S. and Mexico, and within the Mexican-origin population using proxy measures of acculturation. Methods: Statistical data were abstracted and a Medline literature review conducted of English-language epidemiologic articles on Mexican-origin groups published during 1976-2005. Results: U.S.-born Mexican-Americans have higher morbidity and mortality compared to Mexico-born immigrants. Mexico has lower healthcare resources, life expectancy, and circulatory system and cancer mortality rates, but similar infant immunization rates compared to the U.S. Along the U.S.-Mexico border, the population on the U.S. side has better health status than the Mexican side. The longer in the U.S., the more likely Mexican-born immigrants engage in behaviors that are not health promoting. Conclusions: Researchers should consider SEP, community norms, behavioral risk and protective factors when studying Mexican-origin groups. It is not spendingtime in the U.S. that worsens health outcomes but rather changes in health promoting behaviors. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.

Author Keywords

Hispanic Americans Emigration and immigration Mexican Americans

Index Keywords

immigrant health care planning health promotion Health Status Disparities human Health Behavior middle aged birthplace ethnic group controlled study priority journal health status Aged Health Surveys Mexico Health Services Needs and Demand Mexico U.S. border epidemiological data Young Adult United States social status health program Humans geography Adolescent Hispanic life expectancy Infant, Newborn male Acculturation Aged, 80 and over Infant Child, Preschool female population research cultural factor Article cancer mortality adult Mexican Americans immunization health statistics Health Services Accessibility Mexican American Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-54949098483&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-008-9146-2&partnerID=40&md5=41d69acd3252741ee6f440910014eeba
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-008-9146-2
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 44
Original Language: English