Volume 39 - Article 7 | Pages 209–250 
Disability crossover: Is there a Hispanic immigrant health advantage that reverses from working to old age?
Date received: | 05 Feb 2018 |
Date published: | 31 Jul 2018 |
Word count: | 4818 |
Keywords: | crossover, disability, health, Hispanic, immigrants, United States of America |
DOI: | 10.4054/DemRes.2018.39.7 |
Additional files: | readme.39-7 (text file, 1 kB) |
39-7_Sheftel_Heiland_2018_AnimatedFigures (ppsx file, 132 kB) | |
39-7_Sheftel_Heiland_2018_Figures (Excel file, 657 kB) | |
demographic-research.39-7 (zip file, 342 kB) | |
Abstract
Background: Hispanic immigrants have been found to be more likely to have a disability than US-born populations. Studies have primarily focused on populations aged 60 and older; little is known about immigrant disability at younger ages.
Objective: Taking a broader perspective, we investigate whether Hispanic immigrants have lower disability rates in midlife; if so, at what ages this health advantage reverses; and the correlates of this pattern.
Methods: Using American Community Survey 2010–2014 data, we estimate age-specific disability prevalence rates by gender, nativity, education, and migration age from age 40 to 80. We also present estimates by six types of disability.
Results: Compared to non-Hispanic whites, disability prevalence among foreign-born Mexican women is lower until age 53 (men: 61) and greater after 59 (66). Similar patterns hold for other foreign-born Hispanics. Crossovers are observed in rates of ambulatory, cognitive, independent living, and self-care disability. Evidence of a steeper age–disability gradient among less-educated immigrants is found. Minimal differences are noted by migration age, challenging an acculturation explanation for the crossover.
Contribution: The paper contributes to a better understanding of immigrant–native disability patterns in the United States. It is the first to systematically document a Hispanic immigrant health advantage in disability that reverses from working to old age. Hispanic immigrants (particularly foreign-born Mexican women), may face steeper risk trajectories, consistent with their greater concentration in low-skill manual occupations. We call for increased scholarly attention to this phenomenon.
Author's Affiliation
Mara Sheftel - City University of New York, United States of America
Frank W. Heiland - City University of New York, United States of America
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