Abstract
The healthy immigrant and erosion effects are widely cited observations for immigrants’ health patterns in the United States.
Yet, these effects are not always found in empirical studies. We examined both effects among Asians using the 2000 Census
Public Microdata Sample. We examined six disability outcomes: sensory, physical, mental, mobility, work and self-care. We
also investigated the moderating effect of age on years in the United States. We found substantial variation in disability
status across our 13 Asian ethnic groups. Support for the healthy immigrant and erosion effects differed across the disability
outcomes. For physical, sensory and mental disabilities, the healthy immigrant and erosion effects were displayed at younger
ages. For work and mobility disabilities, younger immigrants displayed a higher prevalence for these outcomes than their US-born
counterparts, but this pattern reversed at older ages. Self-care disability did not show any duration differences. Age also
appears to be an important moderator of the healthy immigrant and erosion effects. Cohorts and question wording may also be
important alternative explanations to immigrant health patterns.
Yet, these effects are not always found in empirical studies. We examined both effects among Asians using the 2000 Census
Public Microdata Sample. We examined six disability outcomes: sensory, physical, mental, mobility, work and self-care. We
also investigated the moderating effect of age on years in the United States. We found substantial variation in disability
status across our 13 Asian ethnic groups. Support for the healthy immigrant and erosion effects differed across the disability
outcomes. For physical, sensory and mental disabilities, the healthy immigrant and erosion effects were displayed at younger
ages. For work and mobility disabilities, younger immigrants displayed a higher prevalence for these outcomes than their US-born
counterparts, but this pattern reversed at older ages. Self-care disability did not show any duration differences. Age also
appears to be an important moderator of the healthy immigrant and erosion effects. Cohorts and question wording may also be
important alternative explanations to immigrant health patterns.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s12552-012-9069-3
- Authors
- Annie Ro, School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Room 46-081c, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA
- Gilbert C. Gee, School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Room 46-081c, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA
- Journal Race and Social Problems
- Online ISSN 1867-1756
- Print ISSN 1867-1748