Acculturation-related Factors Research Articles

Stability and change in acculturation-related characteristics in older Latinos: Implications for culturally compatible ADRD research.

Acculturation-related characteristics, that is, factors directly connected to culture and familial relationships, are associated with engaged research participation within Latino communities. Despite this, little empirical data exists on whether acculturation changes over time in older Latinos, which has potential implications for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research study design including longer duration clinical trial implementation. Self-identified Latinos (n = 222; mean age = 71, 76% female) participating in one of three ongoing longitudinal community-based cohort studies of aging who reported their nativity outside of the United States/District of Columbia (US/DC) contributed, on average, 4.0 ± 1.2 years of annually collected data. This included acculturation-related characteristics of total, language-, and social-based scores from the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH) and total and domain-specific scores from an abbreviated Sabogal Familism questionnaire. We used ordinal mixed effects models and linear mixed effects models (as appropriate) to assess change in acculturation metrics after adjusting for age, sex, education, income, and duration of time in the US/DC. Although none of the SASH metrics changed over time (P-values ≥ 0.25), all Familism metrics declined over time (P-values ≤ 0.044). Additionally, select participant-based characteristics including years of education were significantly (and differentially) associated with level of, but not change in, acculturation-related outcomes. Results suggest that specific acculturation-related factors (i.e., familism) change over time in older Latinos, and participant-based characteristics associated with baseline levels of (but not change in) acculturation more generally. Thus, acculturation-related characteristics are not all static, trait-like qualities but rather a multi-faceted, and at times evolving, construct. Considering this dynamic phenotyping is important when contextualizing older Latinos' lived experience, and when designing, adapting, and conducting ADRD clinical trials and other health-related interventions.

Impact of new country, discrimination, and acculturation-related factors on depression and anxiety among ex-Soviet Jewish migrants: data from a population-based cross-national comparison study

Migration, displacement, and flight are major worldwide phenomena and typically pose challenges to mental health. Therefore, migrants’ mental health, and the factors which may predict it, have become an important research subject. The present population-based cross-national comparison study explores symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization, as well as quality-of-life in samples of ex-Soviet Jewish migrants settling in three new countries: Germany, Austria and Israel, as well as in a sample of non-migrant ex-Soviet Jews in their country of origin, Russia. In the current study, we investigate the relationship of perceived xenophobiа and antisemitism, acculturation attitudes, ethnic and national identity, as well as affiliation with Jewish religion and culture to the psychological well-being of these migrants. Furthermore, we consider xenophobic and antisemitic attitudes as well as the acculturation orientation of the new countries’ societies, assessed in the native control samples. Our data suggest that attitudes of the new country’s society matter for the mental health of this migrant group. We conclude that the level of distress among ex-Soviet Jewish migrants seems to depend, among other factors, on the characteristics of the new country and/or specific interactions of the migrant population with the society they are settling in.

177 The Relationship between Language Preference and Sleep Aid Utilization among Spanish and English-speaking Latinx Adults

Abstract Introduction Studies have found positive associations between acculturation and self-reported sleep disturbances among Latinx adults, however whether acculturation-related factors influence treatment preferences for sleep disturbances remain underexplored. This study examines the relationship between language preference, an indicator of acculturation, and various types of sleep aid use among Latinx adults. Methods Using cross-sectional screener survey data from the LAtino Sleep and Health Study (N=739) of Latinx adults living in NYC, we conducted logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between language preference and 3 types of sleep aid use (prescription, over-the-counter, and natural/herbal). Language preference was determined by whether the survey was completed in English or Spanish. Participants responded “Yes/No” to each type of sleep aid use. Primary regression models included adjustments for gender and age. Sensitivity analyses were conducted accounting for self-reported, physician-diagnosed sleep disorders. Results In unadjusted models, participants with Spanish-language preference were 2.38 (OR=2.38, 95%CI:1.30-4.36) and 1.80 (OR=1.80,95%CI:1.27-2.55) times more likely to report prescription and natural/herbal sleep aid use, respectively, compared to those with English-language preference. In primary models, language preference was not significantly associated with any type of sleep aid use. However, being below age 50 was associated with 68% and 44% decreased odds of reporting prescription and natural/herbal sleep aid use, respectively, when compared to those above age 50-79 (OR=0.32, 95%CI:0.16-0.64; OR=0.56,95%CI:0.38-0.84).Those who reported a sleep disorder were 6.35, 2.65, and 2.83 times more likely to report prescription, over-the-counter, and natural/herbal sleep aid use (OR=6.35, 95%CI:3.45-11.69; OR=2.65,95%CI:1.61-4.36; OR=2.83, 95%CI:1.85-4.37) compared to those without sleep disorder. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine language preference and sleep aid use in a Latinx sample. After adjusting for demographics, language was no longer significantly associated with prescription or over-the-counter sleep aid use. This change in significance may be due to differences in the age composition of the sample by language preference. Future studies in more balanced age samples should replicate these findings, and further unpack the determinants of prescription sleep aid use in Latinx adults with sleep disorders given the adverse side effects associated with prescription sleep aids. Support (if any):

Acculturation-Related Factors of Dietary Pattern Changes among Indigenous Adolescents in Mt. Arayat, Philippines

This study aimed to determine the levels of dietary acculturation and factors affecting acculturationrelated changes in dietary patterns of 15 adolescents in an indigenous community in Mt. Arayat, Central Luzon, Philippines displaced after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Mixed-methods sequential explanatory design (using modified scales) was employed to measure dietary acculturation; index analyses to evaluate dietary patterns; and focus group discussion to determine factors leading to dietary acculturation. Majority was found to be bicultural (93.33%) and the mean dietary pattern index score was 69.40 implying a need for dietary improvement. Moderate to high levels of dietary acculturation were observed on the traditional food block, while low to moderate levels were observed towards the dominant food block. Various psychosocial factors driving dietary choices cumulatively affect dietary patterns of adolescents experiencing acculturation in this study, including but not limited to: 1) the neighboring communities’ ethnocultural composition facilitates acculturation primarily through language fluency; 2) prevalence of discrimination exerts an external pressure to adopt host culture for social acceptance; 3) economic need for integration to sustain day-to-day activities exists; 4) religious feasts and gatherings centered on foods previously unknown to them have been introduced; 5) food selection behavior shifts due to acquired experiences of food whether sensory or cognitive; and 6) their attitudes towards assimilation majorly characterizes the gradual internalization of host culture.

Hepatitis B Testing Among Vietnamese in Metropolitan Atlanta: The Role of Healthcare-Related and Acculturation-Related Factors.

Compared to other racial/ethnic groups, U.S. Vietnamese have higher Hepatitis B infection prevalence, which is a major liver cancer risk factor. Increased testing could reduce this disparity. It is critical to understand subgroups of U.S. Vietnamese least likely to have been tested for Hepatitis B and design appropriate interventions. We examined healthcare- and acculturation-related factors influencing Hepatitis B testing among U.S. Vietnamese. Survey data of 100 U.S. Vietnamese attending health fairs/programs hosted by community-based organizations (2017-2018) were analyzed. Healthcare-related predictors included insurance and past 2-year checkup. Acculturation-related predictors included Vancouver Acculturation Index, percentage of lifetime in the U.S., and Vietnamese and English fluency. We conducted a multiple logistic regression controlling for age, sex, education, and household income. The sample was an average 37.5years old and 61.6% female. Insurance coverage was reported by 83.0%. Average percentage of lifetime in the U.S. was 56.8%. Seventy percent reported having received Hepatitis B testing. Hepatitis B testing was associated with health insurance (aOR = 2.61, 95% CI = [1.05-6.47], p = .04) but not any acculturation-related predictors CONCLUSION: Improving insurance coverage and options can be a strategy to increase Hepatitis B testing among U.S. Vietnamese. More education regarding Hepatitis B (e.g., via community-based, culturally-appropriate, lay health worker-led programs) is needed to ensure that individuals are aware of their testing status and pursue appropriate healthcare decisions.

Colorectal Cancer-Related Knowledge, Acculturation, and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among Low-Income Vietnamese Americans in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second and fourth most common cancer in Vietnamese American women and men, respectively. Recent research has highlighted the importance of modifiable lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use, dietary behaviors, and physical activities in CRC prevention for the general population. However, it is not well understood how well Vietnamese Americans knew about CRC prevention and risk factors, and whether there were any disparities in knowledge within this vulnerable population. This study examined whether comprehensive measures of acculturation and knowledge of CRC risk are associated with different health behaviors, specifically physical activity, protective dietary behaviors, and risky dietary behaviors in Vietnamese Americans. We recruited 374 Vietnamese Americans aged 50 or above from community-based organizations in the Vietnamese American communities in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. Through a cross-sectional survey, we collected data on their knowledge of CRC prevention and risk factors, acculturation-related factors, and sociodemographic characteristics. We found limited knowledge of CRC prevention and risk factors, and suboptimal physical activity and healthy dietary behaviors in the Vietnamese Americans. We also found that higher levels of knowledge about CRC and risk factors were associated with less unhealthy diets but not with more protective diets or physical activity. Acculturation was not significantly associated with overall dietary behaviors in our study. Our findings addressed gaps in current literature concerning the impact of knowledge about CRC risk factors and acculturation on different dimensions of dietary behaviors as well as physical activity. Research and practical implications were discussed.

Acculturation in Context: The Relationship Between Acculturation and Socioenvironmental Factors With Level of and Change in Cognition in Older Latinos.

Latinos are 1.5 times as likely to develop Alzheimer's dementia as non-Latino Whites. This health disparity may arise from multiple influences with culturally relevant factors receiving increasing attention. Models of acculturation stress the importance of considering acculturation-related factors within the context of socioenvironmental factors to better capture the Latino experience in the United States. We measured 10 acculturation and contextually-related variables in 199 Latinos (age 69.7 years) without dementia participating in Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center studies. We tested the relationship between these variables via Principal Component Analysis (PCA), then investigated how resulting components associated with level of and longitudinal change in global and domain-specific cognition using separate linear mixed-effects models adjusted for relevant confounders and their interactions with time. The PCA revealed a 3-factor unrotated solution (variance explained ~70%). Factor 1, representing acculturation-related aspects of nativity, language- and social-based acculturation, was positively associated with level, but not change, in global cognition, semantic memory, and perceptual speed. Factor 2, representing contextually-related socioenvironmental experiences of discrimination, social isolation, and social networks, was negatively associated with level of global cognition, episodic and working memory, and faster longitudinal decline in visuospatial ability. Factor 3 (familism only) did not associate with level or change in any cognitive outcome. Acculturation- and contextually-related factors differentiated from each other and differentially contributed to cognition and cognitive decline in older Latinos. Providers should query acculturation and lived experiences when evaluating cognition in older Latinos.

Culture competence and mental health across different immigrant and refugee groups

BackgroundOver the last decades, due to high rates of immigration, many high-income countries have witnessed demographic shifts towards more cultural diversity in the population. Socio-economic deprivation and traumatic experiences pre-migration contribute to a high risk for mental health problems among immigrant background youth. Moreover, when adapting to the multi-cultural contexts of the resettlement countries they face several acculturation demands, which may also affect their mental health in adaptive or hazardous ways. One of these acculturation tasks involves developing the cultural competence necessary to thrive and participate socially within the heritage and the majority cultural domains. From a public mental health perspective, it is important to have thorough knowledge about acculturation-related risk and protective factors. However, this responsibility has been challenged by a lack of acculturation measures that are theoretically linked to mental health, and target the cultural competencies of immigrant background youth. Therefore, the current study aimed at examining if a construct of peer-related culture competence, operationalized in the Youth Culture Competence Scale (YCCS), captured the same competence-phenomenon across different language, age, and immigrant groups in two immigrant-receiving countries. The scale includes two dimensions: one of heritage, and one of majority peer-related culture competence.MethodsSelf-report questionnaire data were collected from 895 unaccompanied refugees and 591 immigrant background high school students in Norway, and from 321 immigrant university students in the United States. To examine if the measure assessed the same phenomenon of peer-related culture competence across these three multi-ethnic samples with an age range from 13 to 28, we examined its measurement equivalence. Additionally, we examined if the association between peer-related culture competence and depressive symptoms was similar in these groups.ResultsConfirmatory factor analyses supported the proposed two factor structure of the YCCS across the three samples. The structural equation model assessing the effects of heritage and majority culture competence on depressive symptoms confirmed that each culture competence dimension had a unique association with depressive symptoms across the samples.ConclusionsWe conclude that the YCCS is a robust acculturation measure that may be included in public health studies of mental health among multi-ethnic refugee and immigrant samples of varied ages.

Understanding a mechanism between perceived discrimination and obesity among Latinas in the United States

ABSTRACT Objective: Obesity is a prominent public health concern significantly impacting various minority groups, especially Latina Americans. However, little study has explored acculturation-related factors associated with obesity among Latinas in the United States. This study examines the link between acculturation-related factors and obesity among Latinas. Design: Using the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), we detected the incremental associations of acculturation-related factors, especially perceived discrimination with obesity, after controlling for socio-demographics, among all 1427 Latinas. Two-step logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association. Results: Results indicated perceived discrimination and older age were positively associated with Latinas’ obesity. Conversely, income and acculturation stress were negatively associated with obesity. Further, results revealed a significant moderating effect of education on the association between perceived discrimination and obesity. Conclusion: The findings suggest the need for clinical attention towards socio-cultural influences and ethnic backgrounds in obesity assessment and intervention.

Complementary and Alternative Medical Service Use for Mental Health Problems among Chinese Americans: The Roles of Acculturation-related Factors

The author used data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys to examine the 12-month prevalence and predictors of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) relative to conventional Western medical services among Chinese Americans. The author examined the differences in service utilization patterns between Chinese Americans and non-Hispanic whites and the effects of acculturation factors such as generational status and English proficiency within the population of Chinese Americans. Multinomial logistic regression analyses revealed significant heterogeneity of exclusive CAM use in response to mental health problems by race/ethnicity and generational status, as well as English proficiency, gender, age, marital status, education, employment status, having insurance, and having any probably psychiatric disorder. Specifically, first-generation Chinese immigrants lagged behind second-, third-, or higher generation Chinese Americans and non-Hispanic whites in the likelihood of using exclusive CAM services for mental health problems. In addition, this study revealed that exclusive CAM service use was more popular than the use of only conventional Western medicine or a combination of both among all Chinese Americans except for the second generations. The findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the pattern of mental health service use among Chinese Americans. Implications for policy and research are discussed.

Demographic Predictors and Cancer Screening Among Asian Americans in Michigan: Role of Refugee Status.

Although the Asian American population has steadily increased since 1980s, there remains a paucity of literature on cancer screening utilization on this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate preventive health and screening practices by examining demographic predictors of health and screening behaviors among 217 Asian Americans living in state of Michigan. Several demographic and acculturation-related factors were found to be associated with "ever screened" status in the bivariate analyses. This included the examination of the relationships among refugee status and cancer screening practices among Asian Americans. After adjusting for other demographic correlates, Asian Americans in the refugee group had lower screening rates in colorectal and breast cancer. Our findings emphasize the need for effective interventions to increase cancer screening rates in this vulnerable population.

Vocational identity development among unaccompanied refugee minors

This study examined educational aspirations and vocational identity formation among unaccompanied refugees in Norway. In Phase 1 we employed questionnaire data from 918 unaccompanied refugees to investigate the effects of demographic information, pre-migration trauma, mental health and acculturation-related factors on their educational aspirations. In Phase 2, data from Identity Status Interviews (ISI) with 29 participants was analyzed to obtain information about vocational identity status distribution and to examine core themes and contextual factors underlying their vocational choices. The findings from Phase 1 showed that none of the theoretically and empirically based included variables had a significant effect on their aspirations. Moreover, the overall regression model was non-significant. We discussed these findings in relation to the strong motivation among unaccompanied minors to create better lives for themselves than they could have in the countries they fled from, irrespective of their traumatic experiences and mental health problems. In Phase 2 the most important themes emerging from the ISIs revolved around age, time, and economics. The remedial education to bridge the pre-flight gap in formal education meant that the unaccompanied refugee youth entered upper secondary school at substantially older ages than their classmates. Their older ages then led them to prioritize economic considerations in making vocational choices, since the support from the Child Welfare Services is discontinued when they reach the age of majority. Consequently, most of them chose short vocational paths toward earning a living, rather than complex roads that led to the realization of their own long-term aspirations. This may have limited the social mobility of unaccompanied refugees.

Resilience and acculturation among unaccompanied refugee minors

The present study was designed to understand differences between unaccompanied refugees who retained or achieved good mental health (healthy or resilient) and those who maintained or developed poor mental health (clinical and vulnerable). Using person-based analyses, the role of pre-migration traumatic exposure and acculturation-related factors in long-term trajectories of psychological adjustment among unaccompanied refugees was explored. This study included three waves of data collection in a population-based sample. The participants were 918 unaccompanied refugees who had received asylum and residence status in Norway. The pattern of change in depression symptoms over time was used to characterize subgroups displaying resilient, vulnerable, clinical or healthy trajectories. Results indicated that the extent of post-migration acculturation hassles and heritage culture competence, as well as pre-migration traumatic events and gender, distinguished the refugee groups in terms of mental health trajectories. The implications for clinical practice and immigration policy are discussed.

Prevalence of substance use among Russian, Somali and Kurdish migrants in Finland: A population-based study

IntroductionAlthough substance use is a well-known public health risk factor, European population-based studies reporting the substance use among adult migrant populations are scarce.ObjectivesWe aim to: (1) determine the prevalence of alcohol use, cigarette smoking and consumption cannabis and intravenous drugs in Russian, Somali and Kurdish migrants in Finland and compare them to those of the Finnish general population; (2) determine if socio-economic and migration-related factors are associated with substance use in migrants.MethodsWe used data primarily from the Finnish migrant health and well-being study. Alcohol use was measured with the AUDIT-C questionnaire, smoking habits and the lifetime cannabis and intravenous drug use were recorded. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were determined by ethnicity and sex. The associations between background factors and substance use were analysed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence rate of risky drinking is lower and the proportion of abstainers is higher in migrants than in the general population. Current smoking is more common in Russian (31%, P < 0,05) and Kurdish (31%, P < 0,05) migrant men than in the general population (21%). Younger age was associated with risky drinking, socioeconomic disadvantage increased the odd for the daily smoking among migrants, and migration-related factors were associated with substance use.ConclusionsMigrants report less substance use than the general population, but acculturation-related factors seem to be associated with higher levels of substance use among migrants. Substance use seems to be a gendered phenomenon in migrant populations in comparison to the general population, where lately the alcohol and tobacco consumption of women have been growing.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Weighing in on the hidden Asian American obesity epidemic

According to national estimates, obesity prevalence is lower in Asian Americans compared to other racial/ethnic groups, but this low prevalence may be misleading for three reasons. First, a lower body mass index (BMI) cutoff as proposed by the World Health Organization may be more appropriate to use in Asian populations. However, evidence is limited to substantiate the potential costs and burden of adopting these cutoffs. Increasing BMI in Asians (as in other racial/ethnic groups) should be considered across the spectrum of BMI, with a minimum awareness of these lower cutoffs among healthcare researchers. Second, the need for disaggregated data across Asian American subgroups is illustrated by the higher obesity (and diabetes) prevalence estimates observed in South Asian Americans. Third, prevalence of obesity should be placed in the larger context of immigration and globalization through cross-national comparisons and examination of acculturation-related factors. However these types of studies and collection of salient variables are not routinely performed. Data from a metropolitan area where many Asian Americans settle is presented as a case study to illustrate these points. Clear evidence that incorporates these three considerations is necessary for program planning and resource allocation for obesity-related disparities in this rapidly growing and diverse population.

Two Sides of a Story: Mothers’ and Adolescents’ Agreement on Child Disclosure in Immigrant and Native Families

Research on immigrant families often has suggested that the process of immigration can lead to a distancing of adolescents and their parents. This study examined the actual agreement of immigrant and native mother-adolescent dyads in their reports on children's disclosure as an indicator for a trusting mother-child relationship. The research questions related to group-level differences (immigrant vs. native dyads) in mother-adolescent agreement, the prediction of interdyadic differences in mother-adolescent agreement, and the associations between mother-adolescent agreement and both family conflicts and adolescents' depressive symptoms. The sample was comprised of mother-adolescent dyads: 197 native German dyads (adolescents: mean age 14.7 years, 53% female) and 185 immigrant dyads from the former Soviet Union (adolescents: mean age 15.7 years, 60% female). Agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The results revealed that mother-adolescent agreement was lower in immigrant dyads than in native dyads. In both samples, higher levels of adolescent autonomy predicted lower mother-adolescent agreement. Among immigrants, language brokering was an additional predictor of lower levels of mother-adolescent agreement. The interaction of language brokering and autonomy also turned out to be significant, indicating that if an adolescent was high in language brokering or autonomy, the effect of the other variable was negligible. In both groups, mother-adolescent agreement was negatively related to family conflicts. The study shows that processes in immigrant and native families are rather similar, but that in immigrant families some additional acculturation-related factors have to be considered for a full understanding of family dynamics.

Nativity, language spoken at home, length of time in the United States, and race/ethnicity: associations with self-reported hypertension.

Characterization of health conditions in recent immigrant subgroups, including foreign-born whites and Asians, is limited but important for identifying emerging health disparities. Hypertension, a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been shown to be associated with acculturation, but the acculturative experience varies for different racial/ethnic groups. Assessing the impact of race/ethnicity on the relationship between acculturation-related factors and hypertension is therefore of interest. Data from the 2005-2008 waves (n = 36,550) of the NYC Community Health Survey were combined to estimate self-reported hypertension prevalence by nativity, language spoken at home, and time spent in the United States. Multivariable analyses were used to assess (i) the independent associations of acculturation-related factors and hypertension and (ii) potential effect modification by race/ethnicity. Sensitivity analysis recalibrating self-reported hypertension using measured blood pressures from a prior NYC population-based survey was performed. Prevalence was also explored by country of origin. Being foreign vs. US born was associated with higher self-reported hypertension in whites only. Speaking Russian vs. English at home was associated with a 2-fold adjusted odds of self-reported hypertension. Living in the United States for ≥10 years vs. less time was associated with higher self-reported hypertension prevalence in blacks and Hispanics. Hypertension prevalence in Hispanics was slightly lower when using a recalibrated definition, but other results did not change substantively. Race/ethnicity modifies the relationship between acculturation-related factors and hypertension. Consideration of disease prevalence in origin countries is critical to understanding health patterns in immigrant populations. Validation of self-reported hypertension in Hispanic populations is indicated.

Acculturation-Related Predictors of Very Light Smoking Among Latinos in California and Nationwide

The prevalence of light smoking has increased among Latinos. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic and acculturation-related factors associated with very light smoking, defined as smoking 1-5 cigarettes per day (CPD), among Latinos in California and nationwide. Latino smokers in the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) or the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) were analyzed. Logistic regression assessed factors associated with very light smoking. Among NHANES smokers, those born in Mexico or who lived fewer years in the US were more likely to be very light smokers than 6+ CPD smokers. Among CHIS smokers, those born in Mexico, in another Spanish speaking country, or who spent smaller percentages of their life in the US were more likely to be very light smokers. Findings from this study can be used to design tobacco control media campaigns that include very light smokers.

Understanding ethnic and nativity-related differences in low cardiovascular risk status among Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic Whites

ObjectiveRecent guidelines highlight the importance of improving cardiovascular health in the general population in addition to disease prevention among high risk individuals. We investigated factors associated with ethnic and nativity-related differences in the prevalence of low cardiovascular risk (optimal levels of all major cardiovascular risk factors). MethodsWe used logistic regression to estimate differences in likelihood of being low risk (not currently smoking; no diabetes; untreated total cholesterol <200mg/dL; untreated blood pressure <120/<80; and body mass index <25kg/m2) among 8693 foreign- and U.S.-born Mexican-American and non-Hispanic White 2003–2008 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants before and after adjustment for socioeconomic, lifestyle, and acculturation-related factors. ResultsForeign-born Mexican-Americans were more likely to be low risk than non-Hispanic Whites after adjustment for all covariates (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.53; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.00, 2.34). In contrast, U.S.-born Mexican-Americans were less likely to be low risk compared to Whites (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.84). Differences between foreign-born and U.S.-born Mexican-Americans were largely attenuated after adjustment for acculturation indicators. ConclusionsOur findings support the healthy migrant hypothesis and suggest that acculturation-related factors may be important drivers of ethnic and nativity-related differences in low cardiovascular risk.

The future of cancer prevention

Recent guidelines highlight the importance of improving cardiovascular health in the general population in addition to disease prevention among high risk individuals. We investigated factors associated with ethnic and nativity-related differences in the prevalence of low cardiovascular risk (optimal levels of all major cardiovascular risk factors).We used logistic regression to estimate differences in likelihood of being low risk (not currently smoking; no diabetes; untreated total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL; untreated blood pressure < 120/< 80; and body mass index < 25 kg/m2) among 8693 foreign- and U.S.-born Mexican-American and non-Hispanic White 2003–2008 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants before and after adjustment for socioeconomic, lifestyle, and acculturation-related factors.Foreign-born Mexican-Americans were more likely to be low risk than non-Hispanic Whites after adjustment for all covariates (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.53; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.00, 2.34). In contrast, U.S.-born Mexican-Americans were less likely to be low risk compared to Whites (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.84). Differences between foreign-born and U.S.-born Mexican-Americans were largely attenuated after adjustment for acculturation indicators.Our findings support the healthy migrant hypothesis and suggest that acculturation-related factors may be important drivers of ethnic and nativity-related differences in low cardiovascular risk.