Mexican-origin Individuals Research Articles

Transactional experiences of discrimination, depressive symptoms, and ethnoracial socialization in Mexican-origin families.

Racial-ethnic discrimination is a prevalent stressor for Mexican-origin individuals that potentiates health inequities in depressive symptoms. However, existing research has primarily focused on individual-level associations between discrimination and depressive symptoms, neglecting the interdependent nature within family systems. Little is known about how one family member's discriminatory experiences relate to the depressive symptoms of others. Although ethnoracial socialization may disrupt the link from discrimination to depressive symptoms, how different ethnoracial socialization practices operate and influence parents themselves have not been examined. This study examines the associations among discriminatory experiences, depressive symptoms, and ethnoracial socialization among 604 Mexican-origin adolescents and their parents from low-income families. The findings revealed intraindividual and interindividual discrimination-depressive symptoms associations. Parental ethnoracial socialization's role in the link varied over time, individuals, and practices. Mental health research and services should consider shared and nonshared experiences among family members and adopt personalized approaches to support different family members. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining genetic associations with hepatic steatosis in Mexican-origin adults

Introduction and ObjectivesVarious studies have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and related traits, including ones located in or near the LYPLAL1, GCKR, PPP1R3B, TM6SF2, MBOAT7, and PNPLA3 genes. However, these SNPs were identified primarily in populations of European ancestry. This study examined the associations of these previously identified SNPs with hepatic steatosis in a sample of Mexican-origin adults living in Southern Arizona. Materials and MethodsA total of 307 Mexican-origin adults between the ages of 18 and 64 with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 or higher were genotyped at the following SNPs: rs12137855 (LYPLAL1), rs1260326 (GCKR), rs4240624 (PPP1R3B), rs58542926 (TM6SF2), rs641738 (MBOAT7), and rs738409 (PNPLA3). Hepatic steatosis was assessed by transient elastography (FibroScan®) with controlled attenuation parameter. Regression models examined the association between each of the six SNPs and hepatic steatosis. BMI was examined as a potential modifier of the genetic associations. ResultsParticipants were, on average, 45 years old and mostly female (63%) with an overall mean hepatic steatosis of 288.1 dB/m. Models showed no associations between LYPLAL1, GCKR, PPP1R3B, TM6SF2, or MBOAT7 and hepatic steatosis. Only PNPLA3 was statistically significantly associated with hepatic steatosis in both unadjusted and adjusted models (p<0.01). There was no effect modification observed with BMI. ConclusionsSNPs associated with NAFLD in populations of European descent did not strongly contribute to hepatic steatosis in individuals of Mexican-origin, except for rs738409 (PNPLA3). Further efforts are necessary to explore additional SNPs that may be associated with NAFLD in this high-risk population.

Relationship between rs4349859 and rs116488202 polymorphisms close to MHC-I region and serum urate levels in patients with gout.

Gout is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease and elevated levels of serum urate (SU) are the main cause for its development. Major histocompatibility complex class 1 (MHC-1) plays an important role in the development of multiple inflammatory diseases; however, there is little evidence of its involvement in gout. The present study focused on evaluating the association of the rs4349859 and rs116488202 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) close to the MHC-1 region in patients with gout. One hundred and seventy-six individuals of Mexican origin were included, of which 81 were patients with primary gout and 95 were healthy controls. The rs4349859 and rs116488202 SNPs were genotyped using TaqMan probes by allelic discrimination by real-time PCR. Serum concentrations of biochemical parameters were measured with enzymatic methods. Descriptive statistics were applied and P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. It was observed that the rs4349859 and rs116488202 SNPs showed significant association with the risk of gout (OR = 146, 95%CI = 44.8-480.2, P < 0.01; OR = 2885, 95%CI = 265-31398, P < 0.01, respectively). Our results also showed significantly higher serum SU levels in gout patients with respect to controls (P < 0.01) in the carriers of the GA genotype compared with the GG genotype of the rs4349859 variant, and in the carriers of the CT genotype compared with the CC genotype of the rs116488202 variant. The study revealed that rs4349859 and rs116488202 SNPs close to MHC-I region confers strong susceptibility to gout in Mexican population, and the heterozygous genotypes of both were associated with higher levels of SU.

Communicating PNPLA3 genetic risk status for NAFLD among Mexican-origin men.

The burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) continues to disproportionately impact under-resourced communities in the U.S., particularly Mexican-origin populations. Genetic polymorphisms such as the rs738409 C/G variant in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) have been associated with higher prevalence of and progression along the NAFLD spectrum. This qualitative study conducted in the U.S. Southwest aimed to assess Mexican-origin men's experience receiving genetic testing for PNPLA3 risk carrier status. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 Mexican-origin men whose NAFLD status and genetic predisposition were determined as part of a previous cross-sectional study. The interview guide included questions exploring participants' insights on how genetic risk status was delivered, how the information influenced their motivation for lifestyle modification to reduce NAFLD risk, and any knowledge sharing that occurred with family members after learning of their PNPLA3 risk status. Interviews were conducted and audio recorded in English (n = 6) and Spanish (n = 11) and uploaded into NVivo software for data analysis and interpretation. Guided by the Health Belief Model, a thematic analysis approach was used to identify primary themes. Results highlighted men's preference for receiving this type of genetic risk information through a letter sent to their homes. General comprehension of PNPLA3 risk status was deemed high and most men stated sharing their genetic predisposition to NAFLD with their immediate family members. Participants also indicated that family and awareness of this genetic risk acted as primary motivators for implementing behavior changes (e.g., diet, physical activity) toward the prevention of more severe liver conditions. Findings from this qualitative study suggest the feasibility of communicating genetic risk for NAFLD among Mexican-origin men. Future strategies for the dissemination of genetic risk results among Mexican-origin individuals should consider familial and cultural appropriate strategies.

La vida en la frontera: protocol for a prospective study exploring stress and health resiliencies among Mexican-origin individuals living in a US-Mexico border community

BackgroundMexican-origin adults living near the U.S.-Mexico border experience unique and pervasive social and ecological stressors, including poverty, perceived discrimination, and environmental hazards, potentially contributing to the high burden of chronic disease. However, there is also evidence that residents in high-density Mexican-origin neighborhoods exhibit lower prevalence rates of disease and related mortality than those living in other areas. Understanding the factors that contribute to health resiliencies at the community scale is essential to informing the effective design of health promotion strategies.MethodsLa Vida en la Frontera is a mixed-methods participatory study linking a multi-disciplinary University of Arizona research team with Campesinos Sin Fronteras, a community-based organization founded by community health workers in San Luis, Arizona. This paper describes the current protocol for aims 2 and 3 of this multi-faceted investigation. In aim 2 a cohort of N≈300 will be recruited using door-to-door sampling of neighborhoods in San Luis and Somerton, AZ. Participants will be surveyed and undergo biomarker assessments for indicators of health and chronic stress at three time points across a year length. A subset of this cohort will be invited to participate in aim 3 where they will be interviewed to further understand mechanisms of resilience and wellbeing.DiscussionThis study examines objective and subjective mechanisms of the relationship between stress and health in an ecologically diverse rural community over an extended timeframe and illuminates health disparities affecting residents of this medically underserved community. Findings from this investigation directly impact the participants and community through deepening our understanding of the linkages between individual and community level stress and chronic disease risk. This innovative study utilizes a comprehensive methodology to investigate pathways of stress and chronic disease risk present at individual and community levels. We address multiple public health issues including chronic disease and mental illness risk, health related disparities among Mexican-origin people, and health protective mechanisms and behaviors.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and birth outcomes in California: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundThe Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provides temporary relief from deportation and work permits for previously undocumented immigrants who arrived as children. DACA faced direct threats under the Trump administration. There is select evidence of the short-term impacts of DACA on population health, including on birth outcomes, but limited understanding of the long-term impacts.MethodsWe evaluated the association between DACA program and birth outcomes using California birth certificate data (2009–2018) and a difference-in-differences approach to compare post-DACA birth outcomes for likely DACA-eligible mothers to birth outcomes for demographically similar DACA-ineligible mothers. We also separately compared birth outcomes by DACA eligibility status in the first 3 years after DACA passage (2012–2015) and in the subsequent 3 years (2015–2018) - a period characterized by direct threats to the DACA program - as compared to outcomes in the years prior to DACA passage.ResultsIn the 7 years after its passage, DACA was associated with a lower risk of small-for-gestational age (− 0.018, 95% CI: − 0.035, − 0.002) and greater birthweight (45.8 g, 95% CI: 11.9, 79.7) for births to Mexican-origin individuals that were billed to Medicaid. Estimates were consistent but of smaller magnitude for other subgroups. Associations between DACA and birth outcomes were attenuated to the null in the period that began with the announcement of the Trump U.S. Presidential campaign (2015-2018), although confidence intervals overlapped with estimates from the immediate post-DACA period.ConclusionsThese findings suggest weak to modest initial benefits of DACA for select birthweight outcomes during the period immediately following DACA passage for Mexican-born individuals whose births were billed to Medicaid; any benefits were subsequently attenuated to the null. The benefits of DACA for population health may not have been sufficient to counteract the impacts of threats to the program's future and heightened immigration enforcement occurring in parallel over time.

Prospective associations between emotion regulation and depressive symptoms among Mexican-origin adolescents.

Reappraisal (reconstruing emotional experiences to alter their impact) and suppression (inhibiting emotionally expressive behavior) are emotion-regulation strategies with important implications for depression. While reappraisal generally predicts lower depressive symptoms, suppression generally predicts higher depressive symptoms. Because cultural factors can influence the processes involved in these links and because adolescence-especially for ethnic minority youth-brings particular emotional challenges, it's critical to investigate these links among Mexican-origin adolescents. However, research examining emotion regulation among Mexican-origin individuals is scarce and generally limited to cross-sectional designs. Thus, we examined prospective associations between reappraisal and suppression (assessed at age 17) and 2 facets of depressive symptoms (anhedonia and general distress) over 3 years (assessed at ages 16, 18, and 19) among 228 Mexican-origin adolescents. Latent growth curve models indicated that reappraisal was associated with lower anhedonia at baseline (age 16) and lower anhedonia over time, whereas suppression predicted greater anhedonia at baseline but not change over time. Consistent with the Mexican cultural value of simpatía, which emphasizes expressing positive emotions and inhibiting negative emotions, suppression of positive emotions was associated with greater anhedonia over time whereas suppression of negative emotions was associated with lower anhedonia over time. However, neither associated with anhedonia at baseline. Reappraisal and suppression were not associated with distress symptoms, and no effects were moderated by familism, household income, gender, or child nativity. The anhedonia results suggest that the benefits of reappraisal extend to Mexican-origin adolescents, but the effects of suppression may depend upon emotional valence in this group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Care in Context: Dementia Support in Mexico and the United States

Due to rapid demographic transitions, the number of people with dementia is rising in the Americas, and is expected to double in the coming decades, increasing from14.8 million in 2030 to over 27 million by 2050. The burden of dementia is especially pronounced for the Mexican-origin population in Mexico and the U.S. For Mexico, financial support for older low-income citizens and medical care are universal rights, but limited fiscal resources and the needs of a large low-income population create inevitable competition for limited resources among the old and the young. Although the United States has a more developed economy and well-developed Social Security and health care financing systems for older adults, Mexican-origin individuals in the U.S. do not necessarily benefit fully from these programs. The institutional and financial problems are compounded in both countries by longer life spans, smaller families, as well as changing gender roles and cultural norms. Such changes affect the Mexican-origin population in particular because of a higher prevalence rates of cognitive impairment than other racial and ethnic groups, and the lower access to resources to provide care. In this GSA Symposium, the authors of four papers deal with the following topics as they relate to dementia care in Mexico and the United States: (1) living alone in late life; (2) living arrangements and dementia care; (3) the role of non-governmental organizations in care; (4) next steps to address dementia care needs in the U.S. and Mexico.

Framing Binational Challenges of Mental and Cognitive Health Care in Mexican-Origin Older Adults: Consensus Findings

Growth in older populations, and hence in the number of persons living with dementia, is particularly rapid for individuals of Mexican origin living in the U.S. and Mexico. In order to identify influences on cognitive health in this diverse population, the University Texas at Austin and Mexican National Institute of Geriatrics (INGER) organized their second Bridging Conference titled: "Framing Challenges of Cognitive and Mental Health Care in Mexican-origin Older Adults in Mexico and the U.S". In this presentation, we highlight the results of a consensus-building session, during which bi-national expert opinions were generated and synthesized addressing gaps in research, knowledge, and policy, as well as the setting of priorities for immediate action and future research. Reducing barriers to adequate care for those aging-in-place with dementia was a central theme of the identified priorities. Critical areas of identified need, more specifically, included reducing social isolation, caregiver burden, and diminishing retirement income.

Change, Correlates, and Structure of Personality Across Adulthood

Personality is both stable and changing across the lifespan. However, many questions remain about the factors that account for individual differences in change, the consequences of personality for life outcomes, and how best to assess personality at different points in the lifespan. First, Olivia Atherton will discuss research on the development of the Big Five personality traits from young adulthood to midlife with a sample of Mexican-origin individuals, as well as sociodemographic and cultural predictors of personality change in this population. Second, Bill Chopik uses data from 90 countries to examine the consistency of age differences in positive personality traits in the second half of life, from midlife to old age, as well as how cultural characteristics moderate the terminal decline in positive personality traits. Third, Emorie Beck will present research demonstrating that personality traits from the Big Five to beyond are robustly associated with a number of key life events across countries, decades, sociodemographic moderators, and even when controlling for selection bias. Finally, Josh Jackson uses network psychometric techniques to examine coherence and differentiation among indicators of the Big Five from 14 to 85 in a large multinational sample, tracking age differences with consequences for the assessment of personality traits in older adulthood. We will conclude with a panel discussion of emerging issues in personality change, prediction, and assessment across adulthood, with each speaker providing unique experience and insight into the study of each area.

Dietary Patterns and Years Living in the United States by Hispanic/Latino Heritage in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

BackgroundPrevious diet findings in Hispanics/Latinos rarely reflect differences in commonly consumed and culturally relevant foods across heritage groups and by years lived in the United States. ObjectivesWe aimed to identify and compare a posteriori heritage-specific dietary patterns (DPs) and evaluate their associations with “healthfulness” [using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index–2010 (AHEI-2010)] and years living in the United States. MethodsWe used baseline data from a population-based cohort of 14,099 Hispanics/Latinos aged 18–74 y in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. We performed principal factor analysis using two 24-h recalls to derive DPs, separately, in each heritage group (Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central American, and South American), and identified overarching DPs based on high-loading foods shared by ≥2 groups. We used multivariable linear regression to test associations of DPs with AHEI-2010 and years living in the United States. ResultsWe identified 5 overarching DPs (Burgers, Fries, & Soft Drinks; White Rice, Beans, & Red Meats; Fish; Egg & Cheese; and Alcohol). All Burgers, Fries, & Soft Drinks DPs were inversely associated with AHEI-2010, whereas all Fish DPs (except Dominican) were positively associated with this index (all P-trend < 0.001). White Rice, Beans, & Red Meats DPs showed inverse associations in Cuban and Central American groups and positive associations in Mexican-origin individuals (all P-trend < 0.001). Fewer years living in the United States was associated with higher scores for White Rice, Beans, & Red Meats DPs in Cuban and Mexican heritage groups and lower scores on Burgers, Fries, & Soft Drinks DPs in Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican groups (all P-trend < 0.01). ConclusionsOur findings show substantial variation in DPs across Hispanics/Latinos and adherence to DPs by time in the United States, which could inform dietary interventions targeting this diverse US population. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02060344.

Dietary Patterns and Years Living in the US by Hispanic/Latino Heritage in HCHS/SOL

ObjectivesWe aimed to identify and compare a posteriori heritage-specific dietary patterns (DPs), and evaluate their associations with “healthfulness” (using Alternative Healthy Eating Index, AHEI-2010) and years living in the US. MethodsWe used baseline data from a population-based cohort of 14,099 Hispanics/Latinos aged 18–74 years in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. We performed principal factor analysis using two 24-hr recalls to derive DPs, separately, in each heritage group (Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central American, South American); and identified overarching DPs based on high-loading foods shared by two or more groups. We used multivariable linear regression to test associations of DPs with AHEI-2010 and years living in the US. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02060344. ResultsWe identified 5 overarching DPs (“Burgers, Fries, & Soft Drinks”; “White Rice, Beans, & Red Meats”; “Fish”; “Egg & Cheese”; and “Alcohol”). While all “Burgers, Fries, & Soft Drinks” DPs were inversely associated with AHEI-2010, all Fish DPs (except Dominican) were positively associated with this index (all Ptrend < 0.001). Meanwhile, “White Rice, Beans, & Red Meats” DPs showed inverse associations in Cuban and Central American groups and positive associations in Mexican-origin individuals (all Ptrend < 0.001). Fewer years living in the US was associated with higher scores for “White Rice, Beans, & Red Meats” DPs in Cuban and Mexican heritage groups and lower scores on “Burgers, Fries, & Soft Drinks” DPs in Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican groups (all Ptrend < 0.01). ConclusionsOur findings show substantial variation in DPs across Hispanics/Latinos and adherence in DPs by time in the US, which could inform dietary interventions targeting this diverse US population. Funding SourcesThis research received support from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Global Cardiometabolic Disease Training Grant (1T32HL129969–01A1), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K01DK107791), and from the Population Research Infrastructure Program (R24 HD050924) awarded to the Carolina Population Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

War and Peace on the Rio Grande Frontier, 1830–1880 by Miguel Ángel González-Quiroga

Reviewed by: War and Peace on the Rio Grande Frontier, 1830–1880 by Miguel Ángel González-Quiroga Sonia Hernández War and Peace on the Rio Grande Frontier, 1830–1880. By Miguel Ángel González-Quiroga. (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2020. Pp. 592. Illustrations, notes, bibliography, index.) War and Peace on the Rio Grande Frontier is an eye-opening account of inter-ethnic and inter-racial conflict and collaboration among the residents and transients who comprised the borderlands population from the 1830s through the early years of the Porfirio Díaz regime. Mainly focusing on Euro Americans and Mexican-origin individuals during this period, González-Quiroga argues that collaboration as well as violent conflict among and between these people shaped the contours of this frontier region in deep and far-reaching ways. Building on a large body of primary documentation housed in both Mexican and U.S. repositories, González-Quiroga has produced a powerful narrative of a borderlands region shaped by commercial opportunities, competing social and cultural beliefs, and war and violence. It was not always a matter of Anglo vs. Mexican; what emerges from this careful attention to both collaboration and conflict is a borderlands region that often blurred or softened racial, ethnic, and class lines, albeit temporarily. Composed of the Mexican Northeast and the province that eventually became Texas, this region plays a preponderant role in War and Peace. González-Quiroga does a remarkable job in explaining the eventual emergence of Mexican nationalism intricately tied to the dynamic nature of the region, which was influenced by the ebb and flow of commerce. Commercial opportunities that emerged as a result of external and internal wars, including the U.S. Civil War and the Centralist/Federalist conflict in Mexico, led to the forging of strategic alliances or business partnerships that benefitted all parties. Equally important is the author's examination [End Page 485] of the factors that contributed to moments of what he calls "cooperative violence," which was influenced by factors shaping economic cooperation, further informing decisions by one group or individual to participate in violence, often against their own communities. This timely monograph is an excellent example of what U.S.–Mexican borderlands scholarship should look like. Too often historians on either side rely on sources or explanations that are state- or nation-bound. Further, the book is an example of a historical narrative that converses with historiographies on Mexico and the Mexican north, as well as Texas and U.S. historiography. It pays careful attention to the ways in which economic forces interacted with cultural and social factors. While a nuanced examination of the crucial role of inter-racial and inter-ethnic marriages in solidifying collaboration and its effect on Mexican American land tenure in Texas is missing, the book has the potential to peak scholars' interest in this area. It can also lead to future research on related topics, including women entrepreneurs and the often-neglected role of women in inciting or encouraging violence. Further, it can lead to work on the ways in which violence, whether incited by Anglos, Mexicans, or via cooperative violence, shaped women's lived experiences and, more importantly, how women negotiated and countered such violence. While War and Peace cautions historians to avoid general assumptions about who inflicted violence upon whom, it is difficult not to think about post-1880 historical developments, specifically concerning the treatment of U.S. citizens of Mexican descent in their very own communities. While there has always been anti-American sentiment in Mexico, depending on the historical period and region, the treatment of these U.S. citizens in Mexico pales in comparison to the treatment of Mexican Americans in places like Texas in the post-1880 period. For the most part, U.S. nationals in Mexico did not seek Mexican citizenship, whereas Mexicans in the United States, despite holding U.S. citizenship, had to struggle continuously to be included and treated as such. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, War and Peace forces us to reflect on moments of collaboration between cultures long pitted against one another. History offers us useful lessons, and there is no shortage of them in this book. One...

Abstract C087: The relationship between alcohol, physical activity, and obesity in Mexican-origin adults

Abstract Background. Alcohol intake, lack of physical activity (PA), and obesity are risk factors for liver cancer. Although studies indicate that PA and alcohol intake are positively associated with one another, this relationship is less studied in Hispanics, who have the highest rates of liver cancer in the U.S. Furthermore, the relationship between alcohol intake and obesity is nuanced, with current drinkers having lower risk of obesity than never drinkers. The first aim of this study was to assess the relationship between alcohol intake and PA in Hispanic adults; secondary aims were to assess the effects of PA and alcohol on body mass index (BMI) and assess differences by gender and country of birth. Methods. We used data from the Mano a Mano Cohort, a cohort of Mexican-origin individuals living in the greater Houston area, for individuals recruited since 2012. Data included self-reported PA, alcohol intake (never, former, and current drinker), and demographic characteristics; trained field staff measured BMI. PA was categorized as high (≥1500 MET minutes/week), moderate (≥600 MET minutes/week) or low. We used logistic regression to assess the association between PA and alcohol intake with BMI, including an interaction term. Results. This sample (n=3,899) had an average age of 49, were mostly women, and had not attained a high school degree. Most were obese (60%) and never drinkers (67%). Never drinkers had more individuals with low (42%) than moderate (32%) or high levels of PA (26%). Current drinkers had more individuals achieving high PA (32%) than either never (26%) or former drinkers (24%). Obese, compared to non-obese, individuals did less PA and had a greater proportion of never drinkers. High PA was protective against obesity in the full sample (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=0.81, 95%CI: 0.68-0.95, p&amp;lt;.05), in females (AOR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.60-0.89, p&amp;lt;.01), and in Mexican-born individuals (AOR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.66-0.95, p&amp;lt;.05). Current drinking was protective against obesity in Mexican-born individuals (AOR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.61-0.97, p&amp;lt;.05), and was associated with significantly lower BMI in the full sample, males, and Mexican-born individuals. Among never drinkers, compared to those with low PA, those with high PA were significantly less likely to be obese (AOR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.65-0.96, p&amp;lt;.05). The only significant interaction between PA and alcohol use was in male never drinkers; as compared to those with low PA, those with high PA had significantly higher BMI (Beta=2.67, 95%CI: 1.02-4.32, p&amp;lt;.01). Conclusions. In this study of Mexican-origin adults, both high PA and current drinking were independently protective against obesity. However, for the full sample and most sub-groups, never drinkers with high PA were the only group significantly protected against obesity. The difference in the independent and interaction results illustrates the importance of evaluating multiple risk behaviors together to inform liver cancer prevention efforts in Mexican-origin adults. Citation Format: Natalia I Heredia, Qiong Dong, Shine Chang, Lorna H McNeill. The relationship between alcohol, physical activity, and obesity in Mexican-origin adults [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr C087.

“WHITENESS” IN CONTEXT

AbstractUsing data from the 2008–2016 American Community Survey, we compare the racial identification responses of the Mexican-origin population residing in California to their counterparts in Texas, the two states with the largest and most established Mexican-origin populations. We draw on existing theory and research in order to derive a theoretical account of state-level historical mechanisms that are likely to lead to varying patterns of racial identification within the two states and a set of propositions predicting the nature of this variation. Results indicate that the Mexican-origin population in Texas is substantially more likely to claim White racial identification than their counterparts in California, even after accounting for factors related to racial identity formation. Further analysis indicates that this result is robust and buffets the notion that the historical development of the racial context in Texas has engendered a present-day context in which “Whiteness” carries a distinctive social value, relative to California’s ethnoracial context, and that this social value is reflected in the ways in which individuals of Mexican origin respond to race questions on U.S. Census surveys.

BIOLOGICAL RISK PROFILES IN THE OLDER MEXICAN POPULATION

Research examining biological risk is critical given that both the Mexican and U.S. populations are aging. Biomarkers can help us understand underlying disease patterns among Mexican-origin individuals in Mexico and the U.S. to help inform disease-prevention efforts for these populations. Using data from the 2012 Mexican Health and Aging Study and the 2010/2012 Health and Retirement Study, we examine seven biomarkers known to predict health risk: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein. Logistic regression models, controlling for age and sex, are used to predict high-risk for each biomarker among Mexico-born Mexicans, Mexico-born Mexican-Americans, and U.S.-born Mexican-Americans. Results show that Mexico-born Mexicans exhibit higher biological risk for systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, low HDL cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, and inflammation than Mexico-born and U.S.-born Mexican-Americans. Additionally accounting for socioeconomic status and health behaviors did not explain differences in high-risk among Mexican-born Mexicans.

OLD AND FORGOTTEN? CARE FOR ELDERS IN MEXICO AND THE U.S.

The United States and Mexico differ greatly in the organization and financing of their old-age welfare states. They also differ politically and organizationally in government response at all levels to the needs of low-income and frail citizens. While both countries are aging rapidly, Mexico faces more serious challenges in old-age support that arise from a less developed old-age welfare state and economy. For Mexico, financial support and medical care for older low-income citizens are universal rights, however, limited fiscal resources for a large low-income population create inevitable competition among the old and the young alike. Although the United States has a more developed economy and well-developed Social Security and health care financing systems for the elderly, older Mexican-origin individuals in the U.S. do not necessarily benefit fully from these programs. These institutional and financial problems to aging are compounded in both countries by longer life spans, smaller families, as well as changing gender roles and cultural norms. In this interdisciplinary panel, the authors of five papers deal with the following topics: (1) an analysis of old age health and dependency conditions, the supply of aging and disability services, and related norms and policies, including the role of the government and the private sector; (2) a binational comparison of federal safety net programs for low-income elderly in U.S. and Mexico; (3) when strangers become family: the role of civil society in addressing the needs of aging populations; and (4) unmet needs for dementia care for Latinos in the Hispanic-EPESE.

Medicaid Use among Older Low-Income Medicare Enrollees in California and Texas: A Tale of Two States.

States face increasing Medicaid expenditures largely as a result of growing dual-eligible populations. In this article we examine self-reported community-based Medicaid participation among Medicare recipients 65 and older in California and Texas, with a particular focus on the older Mexican-origin population. We use six waves of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE) covering the period from 1993-94 to 2010-11. The data reveal relatively high Medicaid participation rates by older individuals of Mexican origin, but significant differences between the two states. At baseline, 30% of older Mexican-origin Medicare beneficiaries in California reported receiving Medicaid compared to 41% in Texas. Despite California's more liberal eligibility criteria, community-dwelling Texans were more likely than Californians to report coverage at some point during the 17-year follow-up. Our data, as well as administrative data, reveal that California classifies nearly all of its community-dwelling Medicaid recipients as "full duals," meaning that they receive full benefits, whereas Texas is more likely to classify similarly poor and disabled individuals as "partial duals," meaning that they receive less coverage, thereby lowering overall program expenditures. Cost containment strategies that restrict access may be especially consequential for vulnerable Hispanic populations.

The Trump Administration’s assault on health and social programs: potential consequences for older Hispanics

ABSTRACTHealth and social welfare policy proposals put forth by the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress could have huge impacts on low-income groups. This paper focuses on older Hispanics, with an emphasis on the Mexican-origin population who form the largest Hispanic subgroup. A demographic portrait is presented that indicates that Mexican-origin individuals have less wealth and lower incomes than do non-Hispanic Whites. Given rising health care costs, lower use of nursing homes, and greater propensity to live with grown children, prevailing economic disadvantage has serious consequences for this population. More restrictive immigration policies aimed at limiting family reunification could have intergenerational caregiving consequences. In addition, because of labor-force disadvantages, low-income Mexican-origin adults are less likely to have private insurance compared to non-Hispanic Whites as they approach retirement. Consequently, Mexican-origin older adults tend to rely on Medicaid when eligible; in contrast, late-life migrants—who do not qualify for federally funded benefits for at least five years—and unauthorized migrants—who are excluded from federally funded benefits—have extremely limited access to safety net provisions. The potential effects of proposed cutbacks in health care financing on older Hispanics are discussed.

Association of added sugar intake and caries-related experiences among individuals of Mexican origin.

Determine the association between key dental outcomes and added sugar intake using a survey instrument to assess added sugars, which was specifically tailored to immigrant and US-born adults of Mexican origin. Hispanic adults of Mexican origin (n=326; 36.2±12.1years) completed a self-administered survey to gather acculturation, self-reported dental experiences and self-care practices (eg brushing, flossing, pain, bleeding gums), and socio-demographic information. The survey included a culturally tailored 22-item Added Sugar Intake Estimate (ASIE) that assessed added sugar intake from processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages in a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire format. Linear regression, 2-sample t test, and ANOVA were used to evaluate associations of demographic and dental outcomes with daily added sugar intake. Of the mean total daily added sugar intake (99.6±94.6g), 36.5±44.4g was derived from sugar-containing foods and snacks, and 63.1±68.2g from beverages. Participants who reported greater added sugar intake were more likely to have reported the presence of a toothache in the preceding 12months, having been prescribed antibiotics for dental reasons, being less likely to floss daily, have reported eating or drinking within 1hour before bed and have lower psychological acculturation (P<.05 for all). Results were comparable when assessing intake from sugar-containing foods/snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages. This study confirmed the association between added sugar intake and self-reported dental outcomes among adults of Mexican origin and points to an urgent need to improve dietary behaviours in this population.