Neighborhood effect and health disparities among immigrants and non-immigrants

In 2002, about 12% of the total U.S. population (or 33 million people) were foreign-born. However, little is known about the extent to which the neighborhood context influences their health outcomes and functioning, especially among immigrants. There is limited research that compares differences between immigrants and non-immigrants. Using 2007 data from the California Health Interview Survey, this study investigates the impact of perceived neighborhood safety and other factors influence the health and number of health conditions of immigrants and native-born Americans. The sample included 51,048 individuals, among them, 11,075 individuals (or 21.7%) were foreign-born. Ordered logistic regression and chi-square tests and other statistical techniques were used in the analysis. Independent variables such as neighborhood safety concerns, length of stay in the US, age, gender, marital status, and poverty level, English proficiency, among others predicted self-reported health and number of health conditions and functioning. Immigrants who lived in rural areas and those who did not own homes reported higher numbers of health conditions as well as a decline in health status compared to their American counterparts. The chi-square tests also showed significant differences between immigrant and non-immigrant groups on all the characteristics used in the study. The study points to neighborhood environment as is an essential social determinant of health of immigrants indicating that neighborhoods contribute the health disparities.