Discrimination, Social Determinants and Health: Does Multiple Paradoxes Exist in Racial and Ethnic Health?

• In Event: 115 - Section on Asia and Asian America Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 08. Social Determinants of Health and Well-being

Abstract

In the context of the “immigrant health paradox,” a large number of studies have compared Latinos with Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites primarily stressing influence of socioeconomic status on outcomes of health. A broader understanding of health by race and ethnicity demands studying racial and ethnic minority groups besides Latinos. Using theories of immigrants’ selectivity, classic assimilation, belonging and distance to assimilation and discrimination this study examines and explores the relationship between assimilation, discrimination and self-assessed health outcomes among paramedics of Asian Indian origin living in the U.S. The data was gathered from oral history interviews conducted with 16 paramedics (12 nurses and 4 physical therapists; 4 men and 12 women) of Asian Indian ancestry. The findings indicate that despite their experiences of discrimination and related stress, paramedics of Asian Indian origin express fair to good health outcomes. This suggests that a form of health paradox exists among paramedics of Asian Indian origin. For future research, due to the data limitations, more comparative analysis is needed to establish health paradox broadly among Asians.

Author

• Moushumi Choudhury, Michigan State University