Acculturation and Health among Middle Eastern Immigrants in the United States

• In Event: 322 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 16. Race, Ethnicity and Health

Abstract

Previous studies show that the health outcomes of immigrants in the United States are favorable to that of U.S.-born whites. Little is known about the association between acculturation and physical health outcomes, particularly for Middle Easter immigrants. Using pooled data from the 2002-2012 National Health Interview Survey, I examine the association between acculturation and physical health outcomes among Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants in the U.S. and compare them to those of U.S.-born, non-Hispanic whites. A series of binomial logistic regression models are used for the analyses. Results indicate that acculturation is a determinant of physical health, particularly self-rated health status. While the least acculturated ME immigrants have a significantly lower rate of reporting fair or poor health, the most acculturated ME immigrants have higher odds of reporting fair or poor health compared to U.S.-born whites. Results also show that ME immigrant groups, regardless of their acculturation status, are significantly less likely to have any chronic health conditions compared to U.S.-born whites. Finally, health behaviors have a modest impact on the relationship between acculturation and physical health outcomes of ME immigrants.

Author

• Neveen Fawzy Shafeek Amin, University of Texas-Austin