Latino immigrants and the epidemiologic paradox: Is acculturation bad for your health?

There is a great body of evidence on the inverse relationship between socioeconomic status and morbidity and mortality. Relative to non-Latino whites, Latinos in the United States have a worse socioeconomic status profile, but a lower all-cause mortality rate. This paradox has stimulated various hypotheses, such as selective migration of healthier individuals. This presentation provides a general overview of hypotheses proposed to explain the Latino mortality paradox, as well as research findings concerning the paradox. Particular emphasis will be placed on the health behaviors and acculturation hypotheses, which posit that: (1) Latinos have more favorable health behaviors and risk factor profiles than non-Latino whites, and (2) health behaviors and risk factors become more unfavorable with greater acculturation. An overview of concepts and theories on acculturation and health will be provided. The session will highlight research findings on the association between acculturation and various health behaviors.