Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Mercedes Guilliaum, MSN/MPH¹, Robert Friis, PhD², and Gina Piane, DrPH¹. (1) Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840-4902, 949-463-3685, mguillia@csulb.edu, (2) Health Science, California State University Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840

The Hispanic Mortality Paradox

The Hispanic Mortality Paradox refers to the observation that Hispanics living in the United States, despite being poorer and facing many disadvantages, tend to live longer and enjoy overall better health than non-Hispanic whites. Data from the National Health Interview Survey suggest that Hispanics have a combined mortality rate for coronary and cardiovascular diseases that is approximately 20% lower than that of non-Hispanic whites. This lower mortality rate is surprising because Hispanic Americans are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to suffer from Type 2 diabetes; and also Hispanic Americans have been found to have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Other research has reported that Hispanic Americans are in fact at greater risk of all cause mortality as well as coronary and cardiovascular disease mortality. One possible explanation for the Hispanic Paradox (also known as the salmon effect) is that elderly Hispanics, particularly Mexican Americans who are ill and approaching death return home to die. Consequently, this return migration is an artifact that reduces heart disease mortality rates for Hispanics living in the United States. This paper reviews studies that explore the Hispanic Paradox, synthesizes empirical data, and proposes hypotheses and direction for future research.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Define the term Hispanic Mortality Paradox and describe its main constructs.
• 2. Identify the factors that put Hispanics at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality compared to non-Hispanic whites.
• 3. Evaluate the validity of the factors identified as contributing to the Hispanic Mortality Paradox.
• 4. Identify the need for further research regarding the implications of the Hispanic Mortality Paradox.

Keywords: Hispanic, Mortality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation