Full Citation

Title: Does the Hispanic Paradox in U.S. Adult Mortality Extend to Disability

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2014

ISBN:

ISSN:

DOI:

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID:

Abstract: Studies consistently document a Hispanic paradox in U.S. adult mortality, whereby Hispanics have similar or lower mortality rates than non-Hispanic whites despite lower socioeconomic status. This study extends this line of inquiry to disability, especially among foreign-born Hispanics, since their advantaged mortality seemingly should be paired with health advantages more generally. We also assess whether the paradox extends to U.S.-born Hispanics to evaluate the effect of nativity. We calculate multistate life tables of life expectancy with disability to assess whether racial/ethnic and nativity differences in the length of disability-free life parallel differences in overall life expectancy. Our results document a Hispanic paradox in mortality for foreign-born and U.S.-born Hispanics. However, Hispanics low mortality rates are not matched by low disability rates. Their disability rates are substantially higher than those of non-Hispanic whites and generally similar to those of non-Hispanic blacks. The result is a protracted period of disabled life expectancy for Hispanics, both foreign- and U.S.-born.

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Chiu, Chi-Tsun; Hummer, Robert A.; Hayward, Mark D.; Gonzlez-Gonzlez, Csar; Wong, Rebeca

Periodical (Full): Population Research and Policy Review

Issue: 1

Volume: 33

Pages: 81-96

Data Collections: IPUMS Health Surveys - NHIS

Topics: Fertility and Mortality, Health

Countries: