Health Disparities and Children in Immigrant Families: A Research Agenda

Abstract

Children in immigrant families now comprise 1 in 5 children in the United States. Eighty percent of them are US citizens, and 53% live in mixed-citizenship families. Their families are among the poorest, least educated, least insured, and least able to access health care. Nonetheless, these children demonstrate better-than-expected health status, a finding termed "the immigrant paradox" and one suggesting that cultural health behaviors among immigrant families might be protective in some areas of health. In this article the strength of the immigrant paradox, the effect of acculturation on health, and the relationships of acculturation, enculturation, language, and literacy skills to health disparities are reviewed. The current public policy issues that affect the health disparities of children of immigrant families are presented, and a research agenda for improving our knowledge about children in immigrant families to develop effective interventions and public policies that will reduce their health disparities is set forth.

Assimilation and emerging health disparities among new generations of U.S. children

“…While the epidemiologic paradox is well documented at birth, there is less research on the health of children of immigrants as they grow and develop (Biehl et al 2002;Hernandez and Charney 1998;Mendoza 2009). This is in part due to data constraints.…”

“…Additionally, they are less likely than children of natives to receive public assistance or to have health insurance (Capps et al 2004). Given the context of disadvantage facing this large and growing group, it is important to document and understand how children of immigrants are faring in terms of their health and development in comparison to children of nativeborn parents (Mendoza 2009). …”

Parental Health Literacy, Knowledge and Beliefs Regarding Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) in an Urban Latino Immigrant Population

“…The current demographic shift in the United States has resulted in a large number of children living in immigrant families, 9 and evidence suggests that Latino parents with limited English proficiency are more likely to have inadequate health literacy. 10 More specifically, Latino parents have been shown to be at increased risk for poor health literacy regarding upper respiratory infections (URIs) in comparison to nonLatino Whites and Latino parents have been shown to be significantly more likely to expect antibiotic treatment for a child in comparison to non-Hispanic white parents.…”

Providing Care for Immigrant, Migrant, and Border Children

“…4 This is despite the fact that immigrant children are more likely to live in 2-parent families and have parents who work and work more hours compared with parents of USborn children. 9 Immigrant children tend to live in larger families, with 19% having 4 or more siblings, compared with 14% of US-born families. 10 Housing is often substandard and/or overcrowded for these families.…”

“…4 This phenomenon has been called the "healthy immigrant phenomenon." 9 Immigrant mothers are more likely to breastfeed their infants than mothers born in the United States. 14 Immigrant children also seem to benefit from some additional protective factors, such as growing up in 2-parent or extended families, 9 as well as close identification with the cultural and spiritual practices of their family and community.…”