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Beyond the Epidemiological Paradox: The Health of Mexican‐American Children at Age Five

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  • Yolanda C. Padilla
  • Erin R. Hamilton
  • Robert A. Hummer

Abstract

Objective. This study investigates how prenatal demographic, social, and behavioral characteristics of Mexican‐origin immigrant mothers, which are linked to their relatively healthy birth outcomes, influence the subsequent health of their children in comparison to other racial and ethnic groups. Methods. We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study on a cohort of 2,819 children born between 1998 and 2000 to analyze chronic health conditions at age five using logistic regression models. Results. Multivariate analyses revealed no significant differences in chronic health conditions between children of Mexican immigrant mothers and non‐Hispanic white children, controlling for socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. In contrast, children of U.S.‐born Mexican‐American mothers had significantly higher odds of chronic conditions compared to non‐Hispanic white children. Social support and health‐care use were related to child health outcomes but did not explain racial and ethnic differences. Conclusions. Health policy must respond in order to help maintain the healthy outcomes of Mexican‐American children of immigrants and reverse the deteriorating health of children in subsequent generations in light of considerable socioeconomic disadvantage and inadequate access to healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Yolanda C. Padilla & Erin R. Hamilton & Robert A. Hummer, 2009. "Beyond the Epidemiological Paradox: The Health of Mexican‐American Children at Age Five," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(5), pages 1072-1088, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:90:y:2009:i:5:p:1072-1088
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2009.00647.x
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    1. Flores, G. & Bauchner, H. & Feinstein, A.R. & Nguyen, U.-S.D.T., 1999. "The impact of ethnicity, family income, and parental education on children's health and use of health services," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(7), pages 1066-1071.
    2. Reichman, Nancy E. & Teitler, Julien O. & Garfinkel, Irwin & McLanahan, Sara S., 2001. "Fragile Families: sample and design," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(4-5), pages 303-326.
    3. Erin R. Hamilton & Robert A. Hummer & Xiuhong H. You & Yolanda C. Padilla, 2006. "Health Insurance and Health-Care Utilization of U.S.-Born Mexican-American Children," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 87(s1), pages 1280-1294.
    4. Nepomnyaschy, L. & Reichman, N.E., 2006. "Low birthweight and asthma among young urban children," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(9), pages 1604-1610.
    5. Guendelman, S. & Gould, J.B. & Hudes, M. & Eskenazi, B., 1990. "X. Generational differences in perinatal health among the Mexican American population: Findings from HHANES 1982-84," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 80(SUPPL.), pages 61-65.
    6. Erin R. Hamilton & Robert A. Hummer & Xiuhong H. You & Yolanda C. Padilla, 2006. "Health Insurance and Health‐Care Utilization of U.S.‐Born Mexican‐American Children," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 87(5), pages 1280-1294, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Schmeer, Kammi K., 2012. "Early childhood economic disadvantage and the health of Hispanic children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(8), pages 1523-1530.
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    4. Kristin Turney, 2010. "Maternal Depression and Childhood Health Inequalities," Working Papers 1249, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    5. Elizabeth Baker & Michael Rendall & Margaret Weden, 2015. "Epidemiological Paradox or Immigrant Vulnerability? Obesity Among Young Children of Immigrants," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(4), pages 1295-1320, August.
    6. Cardoso, Jodi Berger & Dettlaff, Alan J. & Finno-Velasquez, Megan & Scott, Jennifer & Faulkner, Monica, 2014. "Nativity and immigration status among Latino families involved in the child welfare system: Characteristics, risk, and maltreatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 189-200.
    7. Sara E. Grineski & Timothy W. Collins & Paola Chavez-Payan & Anthony M. Jimenez & Stephanie Clark-Reyna & Marie Gaines & Young-an Kim, 2014. "Social Disparities in Children’s Respiratory Health in El Paso, Texas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, March.

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