Immigration and Oral Health in Older Adults: An Integrative Approach

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an integrative framework on aging, immigration, and oral health. The methodology was a critical review that used immigration as a social determinant framework through which to evaluate its impact on the oral health of older immigrants. We reviewed recent empirical evidence on factors related to oral health in older immigrants. In a systematic search across multiple databases, we identified 12 eligible studies in this review. Among the eligible studies, most were conducted among East Asian immigrants (8 articles), followed by non-Hispanic White/European origin (2 articles), Mexican origins (1 article), and Iran and other Middle East regions (1 article). The research revealed knowledge gaps in the evidence base, including the dynamic relationship between acculturation and oral health, the role of environmental factors on oral health for immigrants, psychosocial stressors and their relationship with oral health, and oral health literacy, norms, and attitude to dental care utilization and oral hygiene practices. The development of the integrative framework suggests the pathways/mechanisms through which immigration exerts influences on oral health in later life. This provides opportunities for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to gain greater insights into the complex associations between immigration and oral health among older adults.

International migration and its influence on health

“…It occurs when historically privileged researchers decide to conduct studies with the aforementioned populations with no previous training in health equity research methods or track record of working with the community of interest, let alone acknowledgment of the work already completed by scholars from these communities(Garcia, 2022). This F I G U R E 1 Immigration and health across the lifespan-An adapted framework fromWu et al (2021).practice reinforces the historical sources of structural factors that contribute to health inequities and reflects the entitlement researchers often feel they have to conduct research with any person or group. As with all the groups, we have referred to in this editorial series along with the ones who will be the topic of future editorials, partnering with expert researchers is key for culturally humble research practices.…”

“…Poorer health outcomes may also relate to biases of "grouping" immigrant populations by common identifiers, such as ethnicity (e.g., Asian) or language, as we have stressed in previous editorials (Amburg et al, 2022;Nava et al, 2022;Niles et al, 2022). Wu et al (2021) developed one of the first comprehensive frameworks for immigrant health with a specific focus on oral healthassociated outcomes. We have adapted the model to apply to any disease or condition an immigrant may experience.…”

“…Wu et al (2021) developed one of the first comprehensive frameworks for immigrant health with a specific focus on oral health‐associated outcomes. We have adapted the model to apply to any disease or condition an immigrant may experience.…”

Göçmen Çocuklarda Ağiz Sağliği

“…Bahsedilen tüm bu sorunlar birikerek yaşlılıkta daha yüksek bir sıklıkla karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Literatürde birçok çalışma mevcuttur ve bu çalışmalar çevresel, psikososyal ve davranışsal faktörlerle ilişkilendirilerek göçle ilgili faktörler ile ağız sağlığı arasındaki bağlantı açıklanmıştır (19).…”

Perceived Neighborhood Conditions, Self-Management Abilities, and Psychological Well-Being Among Chinese Older Adults in Hawai’i

“…Nativity is an important factor for aging-related studies as experiences in different countries and immigration status may affect older adults' choice of residential neighborhood and their subjective perceptions of health (B. Wu et al, 2021). Older immigrants, for instance, might prefer living in neighborhoods such as Chinatown where they are more likely to interact with family members and peers, as well as have access to community resources (O'Brien et al, 2017;Simon et al, 2014).…”