Shorter stay, longer life: Age at migration and mortality among the older Mexican-origin population

Ronald J. Angel, Jacqueline L. Angel, Carlos Díaz Venegas, Claude Bonazzo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: In this article, we investigate the association between age at migration and mortality during a 13-year period in a sample of Mexican American immigrants 65 and older at baseline. Method: We employ the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-PESE) to control for mortality-related health and social factors. Results: Our analyses show that the immigrant generation does not represent a homogeneous mortality risk category. Individuals who migrated to the United States in mature adulthood have a considerably lower risk of death than individuals who migrated in childhood or midlife. Chronic conditions or functional capacity do not account for these differences. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that standard risk pools may differ significantly on the basis of genetic and unmeasured life-course factors. A better understanding of the late-life immigrant mortality advantage has important implications for more effective and targeted social and medical interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)914-931
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of aging and health
Volume22
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Mexico
  • living arrangements
  • migration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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