Immigrant Positioning in Twentieth-Century Mexico: Middle Easterners, Foreign Citizens, and Multiculturalism

BackgroundEmerging evidence has indicated that Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants might be more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stage, yet have better overall survival than nonimmigrant non-Hispanic whites (NHW). This study aims to analyze the association between ME immigration status and breast cancer stage at diagnosis and survival.MethodsUsing the California Cancer Registry, a total of 343 876 women diagnosed with primary in situ or invasive breast cancers were identified during 1988–2013. Multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the risk of in situ and nonlocalized breast cancer stage in comparison with localized breast cancer among first-generation ME immigrants, second- or subsequent-generation ME immigrants, and NHW. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for breast cancer mortality among the three population groups with invasive primary breast cancer.ResultsFirst-generation ME immigrants had higher odds of being diagnosed with a nonlocalized stage (vs localized) than NHW (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.26). Second- or subsequent-generation ME immigrants also had higher odds of being diagnosed with a nonlocalized stage (vs localized) than NHW (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.43). First-generation ME immigrants were 11% less likely to die from breast cancer than NHW (HR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.82 to 0.97).ConclusionsFirst-generation ME immigrants had higher breast cancer survival despite being diagnosed at a nonlocalized breast cancer stage at diagnosis when compared with NHW. Screening interventions tailored to this ME immigrant group need to be implemented.

This study uses data from the 2002-12 National Health Interview Surveys and binary logistic regression techniques to examine the association between acculturation and health for Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants in the United States. Particular attention is given to the gender-specific acculturation-health relationship. Results indicate that, in general, ME immigrants are healthier than U.S.-born whites; ME immigrant men are, on average, healthier than ME immigrant women. The study finds evidence of an association between acculturation and self-rated health. However, the acculturation pattern holds neither for activity limitation nor for chronic health conditions. Male and female ME immigrants of all acculturation levels are less likely to report any activity limitations or any chronic health conditions compared to their U.S.-born counterparts. Findings suggest that future research on ME immigrants and on other immigrant groups should take into account different levels of acculturation when examining the relationship between acculturation and self-rated health by gender.

Objectives To examine whether Andersen’s model explains health care utilization among Middle Eastern immigrants and to examine gender and ethnic differences in health care utilization of Middle Eastern, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian immigrants in the United States. Method Using data from the 2000–2017 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS), this study compares patterns of health care utilization among Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants to those among Hispanic/Latino and Asian immigrants in the U.S. Specifically, we use Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Care Utilization to model the likelihood of seeing a doctor in the past 12 months for these three immigrant groups. Additionally, the current study emphasizes the predisposing factor of gender and its differences across and within these groups. Results Andersen's behavioral framework is partially suited to predict the likelihood of seeing a doctor in the past 12 months among ME immigrants. Immigrant women, regardless of their ethnicity, are significantly more likely than men to report seeing a doctor in the past 12 months. Moreover, the effects of the predisposing, need, and enabling characteristics for Hispanics and Asians are significantly different from those for ME immigrants. Additionally, although Asians are significantly less likely to utilize the health care system than ME immigrants, there are no significant differences comparing Hispanics/Latinos to ME immigrants. Furthermore, Andersen's behavioral framework explains ethnicity and gender differences particularly when comparing Asian men to ME men and Asian women to ME women. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of considering ethnicity and gender differences when examining health outcomes of immigrants.

Introduction: Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants are one of the fastest-growing groups in the US. Several studies have noted a relatively high burden of CVD in ME countries. In the US, while their risk profile has been partially described as part of immigrant studies, the burden of risk factors and ASCVD have not been studied in detail among ME immigrants. Methods: We used 2012-2018 data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a US nationally representative survey. ME origin was ascertained through self-reported region of birth. ASCVD and CVD risk factors were also self-reported. We compared these to US-born non-Hispanic white (NHW) individuals in the US, using chi-square tests and logistic regression models. Results: Among 139,778 adults included, 886 (representing 1.3 million individuals, mean age 46.8) were of ME origin, and 138,892 were US-born NHWs (representing 150 million US adults, mean age 49.3). ME participants were more likely to have higher education, lower income and be uninsured. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension (22.7% vs 27.8%) and obesity (22.1% vs 32%) were significantly lower in MEs vs NHWs participants, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups in the age-adjusted prevalence of ASCVD, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. Only physical inactivity was higher among ME individuals (Fig) . In multivariable analyses, ME participants had lower odds of hypertension (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.61, 0.83) and obesity (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.52, 0.72), and higher odds of physical inactivity (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.11, 1.53), with no significant differences in the other factors or ASCVD (Fig) . Conclusions: ME immigrants in the US exhibit a more favourable cardiovascular risk profile compared to NHWs. Further studies are needed to determine whether this finding is related to lower risk, selection of a healthier ME subgroup in NHIS, or possible under-detection of cardiovascular risk factors in ME immigrants living in the US.

Introduction: Historically, Middle-Eastern (ME) immigrants have been aggregated with Non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals, masking disparities in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study analyzes yearly data from 2004-2018 to assess changes in the prevalence of CVD and the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) risk factors among ME immigrants. Hypothesis: Trends in CVD and LE8 risk factors from 2004-2018 will differ between ME immigrants and NHW adults. Methods: We used sample adult data limited to ME immigrant and US-born NHW adults ≥18 years of age in the National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative household US survey for years 2004-2018. The study assessed the prevalence of CVD (heart attack, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, other heart conditions, or stroke) and LE8 risk factors: insufficient physical activity (PA), nicotine exposure, sleep duration, obesity, physician-diagnosed high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension. Survey-weighted, multivariable logistic regression controlling for age, sex, family income-poverty-ratio, marital status, and years in the US was used to model the linear relationship between survey year and the prevalence of CVD and risk factors. Results: Our study sample included 534,278 adults (93.2% NHW&6.8% ME immigrants), representing 179,176,566 adults living in the US (mean age= 45.9 years, [SD=18.9]) with 51% being female. Trends for NHW adults showed decreases in CVD, insufficient PA, and nicotine exposure, but increases in sleep duration, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension (Table). For ME immigrants, no significant changes were observed over time for most risk factors (p>0.05). However, each year was associated with lower odds of insufficient PA and higher odds of hypertension prevalence. Conclusion: Between 2004-2018, NHW adults had varying trends in CVD and LE8 risk factors whereas ME immigrant adults experienced a similar decrease only in insufficient physical activity prevalence and a greater increase in hypertension prevalence. Future research should focus on sustaining increases in physical activity and addressing hypertension in ME immigrant populations.

Psychological distress in middle eastern immigrants to the United States: A challenge to the healthy migrant model?

“A Revolution in Labor”: African Americans and Hybrid Labor Activism in Illinois during the Early Jim Crow Era

Introduction: Recent literature has documented a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among Middle Eastern (ME) population. Yet, literature is sparse regarding the association of social determinants of health (SDoH) and CVD risk factors among ME immigrants. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between SDoH and hypertension and diabetes among ME immigrants in the U.S. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2010-2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). SDoH were defined as income, education, employment, and health insurance. Hypertension and diabetes diagnoses were self-reported. Generalized linear models using Poisson distribution were fitted to examine the associations between the SDoH and hypertension and diabetes, separately. Results: We included 3,271 ME immigrants, 45% female, with mean age 46 years, 85.3% were insured, 44% had at least a college education, and 21% lived below poverty level. Almost 3% had diabetes and 8% had hypertension. Participants with higher income had lower odds (Adjusted Odds Ratio(aOR): 0.35, 95% CI): 0.18-0.69), while those who had health insurance had higher odds (aOR: 5.77, 95% CI: 1.37–24.32) of diabetes diagnosis. There were no significant associations between SDoH and hypertension diagnosis. Conclusion: Our analysis yielded significant associations of SDoH and diabetes among ME immigrants. Future investigations should focus on addressing health inequities to establish SDoH-informed care targeting CVD risk factors.

AimsProneurotensin (Pro-NT) is a strong predictor of cardiometabolic disease including type 2 diabetes and obesity, however, the effect of lifestyle change on Pro-NT has not been investigated in this context. Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants represent the largest and fastest growing minority population in Europe and are a high-risk population for obesity and type 2 diabetes. In this randomised controlled lifestyle intervention (RCT) addressing ME immigrants to Sweden where weight-loss was previously studied as the main outcome, as a secondary analysis we aimed to study change in Pro-NT during follow-up and if baseline Pro-NT predicted weight loss.MethodsImmigrants from the Middle East at high risk for type 2 diabetes were invited to participate in this RCT adapted lifestyle intervention of four months’ duration. The intervention group (N = 48) received a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention comprising seven group sessions and a cooking class addressing healthier diet and increased physical activity. The control group (N = 44) received treatment as usual with information to improve lifestyle habits on their own. Data assessed using mixed effects regression.OutcomesPrimary outcome; change in Pro-NT. Secondary outcome; change in BMI in relation to baseline plasma concentration of Pro-NT.ResultsDuring the four months follow up, weight was significantly reduced in the intervention (-2.5 kg) compared to the control group (0.8 kg) (β -0.12, 95% CI -0.24 to -0.01, P = 0.028). Pro-NT increased to a significantly greater extent in the intervention compared to the control group during follow up (28.2 vs. 3.5 pmol/L) (β 11.4; 4.8 to 18.02, P < 0.001). Change over time in BMI was associated with baseline Pro-NT (β 0.02; 0.01 to 0.04, P = 0.041).ConclusionIn consistence with data from surgical weight loss, this RCT paradoxically shows increased levels of Pro-NT during a multifactorial lifestyle intervention resulting in weight loss. Long term studies of Pro-NT following weight loss are needed.Trial registrationThis study is a secondary analysis of the RCT trial registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov. Registration number: NCT01420198. Date of registration 19/08/2011. The performance and results of this trial conform to the CONSORT 2010 guidelines.

Self-rated health of Middle Eastern immigrants in the US: a national study

The Idea of the Muslim World: A Global Intellectual History

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: There is very limited literature on the health of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, and the available studies were mostly conducted on small convenient samples in local communities. There is also a need to understand changes in the rates of serious psychological distress (SPD) during the 15years after 2001, as there were negative effects on Arabs' health since the September 2001 aftermath. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The study examined the rates of SPD, the risk of SPD and its associated factors in a national sample of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States from 2001 to 2015. The study found that serious psychological distress rate was high among Middle Eastern immigrants. Being a female and having obesity were associated with a higher risk of reporting serious psychological distress among this population. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: These outcomes necessitate mental health nursing interventions that provide culturally sensitive mental health care to immigrants For example, developing community-based prevention programmes is required to address risk factors of psychological distress and to increase awareness about psychological distress among Middle Eastern immigrants. ABSTRACT: Introduction While Middle Eastern immigrants are a fast-growing population in the United States, there is very limited literature on their mental health. Most of the available studies were conducted on small convenient samples in local communities. Aims To examine rates of serious psychological distress (SPD) and its associated factors among Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, compared with US-born, non-Hispanic Whites. Methods Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2001 to 2015 were analysed. The survey included 1,246 Middle Eastern immigrants and 232,392 US-born, non-Hispanic Whites. SPD was measured by the Kessler-6 psychological distress scale. Survey analysis procedures, sampling weights and variance estimates were conducted. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were employed to examine differences and factors associated with SPD. Results SPD rate was the highest among Middle Eastern immigrants (5.99%) between 2006 and 2010. Among Middle Eastern immigrants, being female and obese were significantly associated with a higher risk of SPD. Discussion Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States suffered high rates of SPD. Gender and obesity were factors associated with SPD risk. Implications These outcomes indicate the need for mental health nursing interventions that provide culturally sensitive mental health care to immigrants, such as developing community-based prevention programmes.

Using data from the 2002-2012 National Health Interview Surveys, this study examines the association between duration of stay in the United States and serious psychological distress (SPD) among Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants and tests whether this association differs by sex. Results show that although ME immigrant women with longer duration are significantly more likely to report SPD than US-born white women, the SPD of ME immigrant men do not significantly differ from that of US-born white men. These findings emphasize the harmful influence of a longer duration of stay in the United States on the SPD of ME immigrant women.

The rising influx of Middle Eastern immigrants from war-torn countries into Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia underscores the urgent need to understand the stressors they face during pre-settlement and post-settlement phases and their consequent impact on mental health. This scoping review addresses this gap by exploring 16 existing studies on Middle Eastern immigrants' experiences in these regions published since 1995. The studies were identified through database searches and selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria focused on Middle Eastern immigrants from war-torn countries resettling in North America, Australia, and Europe. The review reveals that immigrants and refugees encounter significant challenges during resettlement, including acculturative stress, loss of status, and existential struggles. These stressors contribute to higher prevalence rates of psychological disorders compared to the general population. Examining the 16 studies predominantly from North America, Australia, and Europe, our review underscores the complex interplay between pre-settlement and post-settlement stressors and mental health outcomes among Middle Eastern immigrants. However, the limited scope of current research highlights the pressing need for further investigation across different continents and regions.

There is an immediate indication on the back cover of Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp’s So far from Allah, So close to Mexico that this is field-altering scholarship—the general topics of the book for classification purposes are listed as Middle Eastern Studies and Latin American Studies. The equating of these two Area Studies topics promises a re-examination of traditional approaches to the scholarship that exists on the Middle East and Latin America. This work is a valuable contribution to the growing number of works that link these two world areas not usually studied together and that strive to deepen our understanding of a world order too-often reduced to facile categorizations such as East/West or the developed world versus the developing world. A truer understanding of the world system is provided by studying issues such as international migration. This issue and others like it complicate a more basic understanding of the world which has gained much currency of late. AlfaroVelcamp’s So far from Allah directly challenges approaches to international affairs that result in an ‘us versus them’ framework. So far from Allah helps us better understand the history of Middle East migration to Mexico. It covers the period from the end of the nineteenth century, when this migration began, to the present. Alfaro-Velcamp’s sources include immigrant registration cards, Mexican immigration laws, citizen complaints about Middle Easterners, immigrant community-based publications, U.S. immigration cases involving Syrians crossing into the US and personal interviews. The range of sources is laudable. Beyond providing a wide-ranging profile of Middle Eastern immigrants to Mexico and discussing the different roles they have played in Mexican society, So Cont Islam (2010) 4:255–257 DOI 10.1007/s11562-009-0082-2