Dataset Information

Longer-but Harder-Lives?: The Hispanic Health Paradox and the Social Determinants of Racial, Ethnic, and Immigrant-Native Health Disparities from Midlife through Late Life.

ABSTRACT: Though Hispanics live long lives, whether a "Hispanic paradox" extends to older-age health remains unclear, as do the social processes underlying racial-ethnic and immigrant-native health disparities. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2004-2012; N = 6,581), we assess the health of U.S.- and foreign-born Hispanics relative to U.S.-born whites and blacks and examine the socioeconomic, stress, and behavioral pathways contributing to health disparities. Findings indicate higher disability, depressive, metabolic, and inflammatory risk for Hispanics relative to whites and similar health profiles among Hispanics and blacks. We find limited evidence of a healthy immigrant pattern among foreign-born Hispanics. While socioeconomic factors account for Hispanic-white gaps in inflammation, disparities in other outcomes persist after adjustment for socioeconomic status, due in part to group differences in stress exposure. Hispanics may live long lives, but their lives are characterized by more socioeconomic hardship, stress, and health risk than whites and similar health risks as blacks.

SUBMITTER: Boen CE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7245019 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Longer-but Harder-Lives?: The Hispanic Health Paradox and the Social Determinants of Racial, Ethnic, and Immigrant-Native Health Disparities from Midlife through Late Life.

Boen Courtney E CE Hummer Robert A RA

Journal of health and social behavior 20191126 4

Though Hispanics live long lives, whether a "Hispanic paradox" extends to older-age health remains unclear, as do the social processes underlying racial-ethnic and immigrant-native health disparities. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2004-2012; N = 6,581), we assess the health of U.S.- and foreign-born Hispanics relative to U.S.-born whites and blacks and examine the socioeconomic, stress, and behavioral pathways contributing to health disparities. Findings indicate higher disabi ...[more]

PMID: 31771347

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Project description:BackgroundRacial/ethnic minorities in the USA exhibit reduced health literacy (HL) proficiency, leading to increased health disparities. It is unclear how the effect of birth status (immigrant/US-born) affects HL proficiency among racial/ethnic minorities.ObjectiveTo identify the direct, indirect, and total effects of birth status on HL proficiency among a nationally representative population of racial/ethnic minority adults in the USA.DesignA cross-sectional study of 2019 data from the Medial Expenditure Panel Survey.ParticipantsParticipants aged 18 or older reporting as racial/ethnic minorities (Black, Asian, or Hispanic) with non-missing data.Main measuresWe predicted HL proficiency for each participant using a previously published model. Path analysis was used to estimate the direct, indirect, and total effects of birth status on HL proficiency, accounting for several other covariates. Prevalence ratios were estimated using adjusted Poisson regression to evaluate differences in the "Below Basic" HL category.Key resultsAn estimated weighted 81,092,505 participants were included (57.5% US-born, 42.5% immigrant). More racial/ethnic minority immigrant participants fell into the lowest category of HL proficiency, "Below Basic" (14.3% vs 5.5%, p < 0.05). Results of the path analysis indicated a significant, negative direct effect of birth status on HL proficiency (standardized coefficient = - 0.24, SE = 0.01, 95%CI: - 0.26, - 0.23) in addition to an indirect effect mediated through insurance status, health-system resource use, and English proficiency. The total effect of birth status on HL proficiency was found to be - 0.29. The immigrant participant group had 81% higher prevalence of falling into the "Below Basic" HL category compared to US-born participants (prevalence ratio = 1.81, 95%CI: 1.52, 2.16).ConclusionsImmigrant status has a strong, negative, direct effect on HL proficiency among racial/ethnic minorities in the USA. This may be a result of barriers that prevent equitable access to resources that improve proper HL proficiency. US policymakers may consider several methods to reduce this disparity at the health-system-, provider-, and patient-levels.

Dataset Information

Longer-but Harder-Lives?: The Hispanic Health Paradox and the Social Determinants of Racial, Ethnic, and Immigrant-Native Health Disparities from Midlife through Late Life.

Publications

Longer-but Harder-Lives?: The Hispanic Health Paradox and the Social Determinants of Racial, Ethnic, and Immigrant-Native Health Disparities from Midlife through Late Life.

Similar Datasets

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