Region of birth and cardiovascular disease in Mexican Americans living in the Texas-Mexico border.

Abstract

The study aims to determine whether place of origin has an effect on Mexican American cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk on the South Texas Border. Although many studies have investigated the effect of immigration on Mexican American health, few have considered how region of origin may impact CVD risk. Subjects in the Cameron County Cohort Study were divided into 3 groups according to place of origin: Southern Mexico, Northern Mexico, and U.S. Border States. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were conducted using CVD biomarkers and self-reported angina, stroke, and elevated blood pressure. Logistic regression revealed that subjects born in U.S. Border States and Northern Mexico states were significantly less likely to have high glucose levels (p < .05) than those born in Southern Mexico. Subjects born in Northern Mexico were less likely to have high triglycerides (p = .05). This study illustrates the importance of considering region of origin in studying the effect of immigration on Mexican American health beyond the standard: number of years in the United States.