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Nativity as a Determinant of Health Disparities Among Children

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Abstract

Nativity is not often considered in the study of health disparities. We conducted a cross-sectional, parent-reported survey of demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, healthcare access, and health conditions in New York City schoolchildren (n = 9029). US-born children with US-born parents (US/US) had higher socioeconomic status, better access to healthcare, and reported higher rates of disease diagnoses compared to US-born children with immigrant parents and to immigrant children. Dental cavities were the only condition in which US/US children reported lower prevalence. US/US children had the best healthcare access, most favorable parent-reported health status and highest rate of satisfaction with healthcare. The magnitude of racial/ethnic disparities varied based on nativity of the children being compared. Factors such as the healthy immigrant effect and differential diagnosis rates may explain the results. In conclusion, nativity influences disease burdens and should be considered in health disparities studies.

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Funding

This article was funded by National Heart and Lung Institute Grant Number (R25 HL 108857), National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Grant Number (T37 MD001452).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. District of Columbia Department of Health, Center for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, 899 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC, 20002, USA

    Sasha A. McGee

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of International Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA

    Luz Claudio

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  1. Sasha A. McGee
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  2. Luz Claudio
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Correspondence to Luz Claudio.

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McGee, S.A., Claudio, L. Nativity as a Determinant of Health Disparities Among Children. J Immigrant Minority Health 20, 517–528 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0667-4

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