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Revisiting the Immigrant Epidemiological Paradox: Findings from the American Panel of Life 2019

Author

Listed:
  • Hans Oh

    (Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 1149 Hill Street Suite #1422, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA)

  • Jessica Goehring

    (Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 1149 Hill Street Suite #1422, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA)

  • Louis Jacob

    (Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France)

  • Lee Smith

    (The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK)

Abstract

Objective: Immigrants enjoy a health advantage over their US-born counterparts (termed the immigrant paradox), though the extent of this paradox may not extend to all health outcomes. Methods: We analyzed data from the RAND American Life Panel. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the associations between immigrant status and a wide range of health outcomes (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, mental health), adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Being an immigrant was associated with lower odds of having any health condition, multimorbidity, and number of health conditions. When looking at specific conditions, however, immigrant status was only significantly associated with lower odds of depression, nerve problem causing numbness or pain, and obesity, but not other conditions. Conclusion: The immigrant paradox is evident when examining overall health, and specifically depression, nerve problems, and obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans Oh & Jessica Goehring & Louis Jacob & Lee Smith, 2021. "Revisiting the Immigrant Epidemiological Paradox: Findings from the American Panel of Life 2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-6, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4619-:d:544128
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ruiz, J.M. & Steffen, P. & Smith, T.B., 2013. "Hispanic mortality paradox: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the longitudinal literature," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(3), pages 52-60.
    2. Christina J. Diaz & Stephanie M. Koning & Ana P. Martinez-Donate, 2016. "Moving Beyond Salmon Bias: Mexican Return Migration and Health Selection," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 53(6), pages 2005-2030, December.
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