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Ethnic density effects on maternal and infant health in the Millennium Cohort Study

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  • Pickett, Kate E.
  • Shaw, Richard J.
  • Atkin, Karl
  • Kiernan, Kathleen E.
  • Wilkinson, Richard G.

Abstract

Studies have suggested that members of ethnic minority groups might be healthier when they live in areas with a high concentration of people from their own ethnic group - in spite of higher levels of material deprivation typically found within such areas. We investigated the effects of area-level same-ethnic density on maternal and infant health, independent of area deprivation and individual socioeconomic status, in five ethnic minority groups. The study was a cross-sectional analysis within the UK Millennium Cohort Study and included mothers in five ethnic minority groups (Black African n = 367, Bangladeshi n = 369, Black Caribbean n = 252, Indian n = 462 and Pakistani n = 868) and their 9-month-old infants. Outcome measures included: low birth weight, preterm delivery, maternal depression, self-rated health and limiting long-standing illness. Compared to those who live in areas with less than 5% of people from the same-ethnic minority population, Indian and Pakistani mothers were significantly less likely to report ever being depressed in areas with high same-ethnic density. There was a protective effect of ethnic density for limiting long-term illness among Bangladeshi mothers at 5-30% density and Pakistani mothers at all higher densities. Ethnic density was unrelated to infant outcomes and maternal self-rated health, and unrelated to any outcomes in Black African and Black Caribbean mothers and infants, possibly because no families in these groups lived at higher levels of same-ethnic density. Results were similar whether we examined smaller or larger residential areas. We conclude that, among ethnic minority mothers and infants in England, the relationship of ethnic density to health varies by ethnicity and outcome. For some measures of maternal health, in some ethnic groups, the psychosocial advantages of shared culture, social networks and social capital may override the adverse effects of material deprivation.

Suggested Citation

  • Pickett, Kate E. & Shaw, Richard J. & Atkin, Karl & Kiernan, Kathleen E. & Wilkinson, Richard G., 2009. "Ethnic density effects on maternal and infant health in the Millennium Cohort Study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 1476-1483, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:69:y:2009:i:10:p:1476-1483
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    4. Nan Zhang & Jennifer L. Beauregard & Michael R. Kramer & Laia Bécares, 2017. "Neighbourhood Ethnic Density Effects on Behavioural and Cognitive Problems Among Young Racial/Ethnic Minority Children in the US and England: A Cross-National Comparison," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 36(5), pages 761-804, October.
    5. Kramer, Michael R. & Cooper, Hannah L. & Drews-Botsch, Carolyn D. & Waller, Lance A. & Hogue, Carol R., 2010. "Metropolitan isolation segregation and Black-White disparities in very preterm birth: A test of mediating pathways and variance explained," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(12), pages 2108-2116, December.
    6. Janevic, T. & Borrell, L.N. & Savitz, D.A. & Echeverria, S.E. & Rundle, A., 2014. "Ethnic enclaves and gestational diabetes among immigrant women in New York City," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 180-189.
    7. Björn Albin & Katarina Hjelm & Jan Ekberg & Sölve Elmståhl, 2012. "County Differences in Mortality among Foreign-Born Compared to Native Swedes 1970–1999," Nursing Research and Practice, Hindawi, vol. 2012, pages 1-9, September.
    8. Berger, Nicolas & Lewis, Daniel & Quartagno, Matteo & Njagi, Edmund Njeru & Cummins, Steven, 2019. "Associations between school and neighbourhood ethnic density and physical activity in adolescents: Evidence from the Olympic Regeneration in East London (ORiEL) study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Margot Jackson & Kathleen Kiernan & Sara McLanahan, 2010. "Nativity Differences in Child Development across Diverse Populations, Settings and Outcomes: Do Socioeconomic Resources Narrow or Widen the Gap?," Working Papers 1270, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    10. Margot Jackson & Sara McLanahan & Kathleen Kiernan, 2012. "Nativity Differences in Mothers’ Health Behaviors," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 643(1), pages 192-218, September.
    11. Bécares, Laia & Nazroo, James & Jackson, James & Heuvelman, Hein, 2012. "Ethnic density effects on health and experienced racism among Caribbean people in the US and England: A cross-national comparison," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(12), pages 2107-2115.
    12. Auger, Nathalie & Park, Alison L. & Gamache, Philippe & Pampalon, Robert & Daniel, Mark, 2012. "Weighing the contributions of material and social area deprivation to preterm birth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(6), pages 1032-1037.
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