Shorter Stay, Longer Life: Age at Migration and Mortality Among the Older Mexican-Origin Population
- 3 August 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Aging and Health
- Vol. 22 (7), 914-931
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264310376540
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.Keywords
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