scholarly journals Education Level and Self-rated Health in the United States: Immigrants’ Diminished Returns

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 116-123
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Maryver U. Perez ◽  
Nay’Air Johnson ◽  
Nikesha R. Williams ◽  
Esmeralda Carrillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Health Gain ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Education Level ◽  
College Graduation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Introduction: Although education is among the major socioeconomic status (SES) resources that influence populations’ and individuals’ health, social marginalization may reduce the health gain that follows access to SES indicators such as education, a pattern called marginalization-related diminished return (MDR). The literature on MDRs, however, has been mainly derived from studies that have defined marginalization based on race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Thus, more research is needed on MDRs that may follow as a result of immigration. To extend what is known on immigration status related MDRs, this study compared a national sample of immigrants and non-immigrants for the effect of education on the poor self-rated health (SRH) of adults in the United States. Methods: With a cross-sectional design, this study employed data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a survey that had enrolled 33,654 adults who were either immigrants (n=6225; 18.5%) or non-immigrants (n=27429; 81.5%). The independent variable was education level, treated as a categorical variable. The dependent variable was SRH treated as a dichotomous variable. Race, ethnicity, age, gender, marital status, and region were the confounders. Immigration (nativity) was the moderator. Logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results: Higher education credentials were associated with better SRH in the pooled sample; however, immigration showed a significant statistical interaction with education level (college graduation) on the outcome. This interaction was indicative of a smaller protective effect of college graduation on poor SRH among immigrants than non-immigrant adults. Conclusion: In line with the MDRs framework, the effect of education on SRH is weaker for immigrants than for non-immigrant adults. There is a need to help highly educated immigrants to mobilize their human capital to secure their best health outcomes, similar to non-immigrants. Such strategies may require bold and innovative policy solutions to reduce discrimination against immigrants, so they can more effectively translate their education and human capital into tangible outcomes such as health.

An Initial Assessment of Secular Trends in Muscular Strength Among Children, Adolescents, and Adults Across the Lifespan: National Sample of Americans

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 705-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Loprinzi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Purpose: Adequate muscular strength has important implications for morbidity and early mortality prevention. There are no data on the recent trends in muscular strength across lifespan, which was this study’s purpose. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: 2011 to 2012 and 2013 to 2014 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey across the United States. Participants: The analyzed sample included 12 295 participants aged 6 to 85 years. Measures: Muscular strength was assessed via a handgrip dynamometer. Analysis: Adjusted Wald test. Results: As expected, men (vs women) had greater grip strength, with grip strength declining as age increased. Central to the focus of this study, there were no changes in absolute or relative grip strength across the waves for any of the evaluated populations (considering age, gender, and race–ethnicity). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that muscular grip strength, across all age, gender, and race–ethnicity populations in the United States, has not changed in the 2 successive 2-year time windows, contained over a 4-year period.

scholarly journals Unraveling Demand for Dairy-Alternative Beverages in the United States: The Case of Soymilk

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senarath Dharmasena ◽  
Oral Capps
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Income Elasticities ◽  
Price And Income Elasticities ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Targeted Marketing ◽  
The U.S

Soymilk is one of the fastest growing categories in the U.S dairy alternative functional beverage market. Using household-level purchase data from Nielsen's 2008 Homescan panel and the Tobit econometric procedure, we estimate conditional and unconditional own-price, cross-price, and income elasticities for soymilk, white milk, and flavored milk. Income, age, employment status, education level, race, ethnicity, region, and presence of children in a household are significant drivers of demand for soymilk. White milk and flavored milk are competitors for soymilk, and soymilk is a competitor for white milk. Strategies for pricing and targeted marketing of soymilk are also discussed.

scholarly journals Educational Attainment Promotes Fruit and Vegetable Intake for Whites but Not Blacks

J ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Maryam Lankarani
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Health Gain ◽  
Past Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background. Although the protective effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on health behaviors are well-known, according to the minorities’ diminished return theory, the health return of SES, particularly educational attainment, is systemically smaller for minorities than Whites. Aims. The current study explored Black–White differences in the effects of educational attainment and income on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Methods. This cross-sectional study used the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2017 (n = 3217). HINTS is a nationally representative survey of American adults. The current analysis included 2277 adults who were either non-Hispanic White (n = 1868; 82%) or non-Hispanic Black (n = 409; 18%). The independent variables in this study were SES (educational attainment and income). The dependent variable was consumption of fruits and vegetables. Race was the focal moderator. Results. In the overall sample, high educational attainment and income were associated with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables. Race moderated the effect of educational attainment but not income on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion. In line with the past research in the United States, Whites constantly gain more health benefits from the very same educational attainment than Blacks. The health gain from income is more equal across races than the health gain from educational attainment. Such diminished returns may be due to racism across institutions in the United States.

scholarly journals Racial and Ethnic Differences in COVID-19 Outcomes, Stressors, Fear, and Prevention Behaviors Among US Women: Web-Based Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamila K Stockman ◽  
Brittany A Wood ◽  
Katherine M Anderson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Differences ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Racial Ethnic

BACKGROUND In the United States, racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with persistent social and structural factors contributing to these disparities. At the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender, women of color may be disadvantaged in terms of COVID-19 outcomes due to their role as essential workers, their higher prevalence of pre-existing conditions, their increased stress and anxiety from the loss of wages and caregiving, and domestic violence. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to examine racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of COVID-19 outcomes, stressors, fear, and prevention behaviors among adult women residing in the United States. METHODS Between May and June 2020, women were recruited into the Capturing Women’s Experiences in Outbreak and Pandemic Environments (COPE) Study, a web-based cross-sectional study, using advertisements on Facebook; 491 eligible women completed a self-administered internet-based cross-sectional survey. Descriptive statistics were used to examine racial and ethnic differences (White; Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; Black; Hispanic, Latina, or Spanish Origin; American Indian or Alaskan Native; multiracial or some other race, ethnicity, or origin) on COVID-19 outcomes, stressors, fear, and prevention behaviors. RESULTS Among our sample of women, 16% (73/470) reported COVID-19 symptoms, 22% (18/82) were concerned about possible exposure from the people they knew who tested positive for COVID-19, and 51.4% (227/442) knew where to get tested; yet, only 5.8% (27/469) had been tested. Racial/ethnic differences were observed, with racial/ethnic minority women being less likely to know where to get tested. Significant differences in race/ethnicity were observed for select stressors (food insecurity, not enough money, homeschooling children, unable to have a doctor or telemedicine appointment) and prevention behaviors (handwashing with soap, self-isolation if sick, public glove use, not leaving home for any activities). Although no racial/ethnic differences emerged from the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, significant racial/ethnic differences were observed for some of the individual scale items (eg, being afraid of getting COVID-19, sleep loss, and heart racing due to worrying about COVID-19). CONCLUSIONS The low prevalence of COVID-19 testing and knowledge of where to get tested indicate a critical need to expand testing for women in the United States, particularly among racial/ethnic minority women. Although the overall prevalence of engagement in prevention behaviors was high, targeted education and promotion of prevention activities are warranted in communities of color, particularly with consideration for stressors and adverse mental health.

scholarly journals Race, Ethnicity, and Self-Rated Health Among Immigrants in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirry M. Alang ◽  
Ellen M. McCreedy ◽  
Donna D. McAlpine
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Race Ethnicity

scholarly journals Comorbid cardiovascular disease and major depression among ethnic and racial groups in the United States

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 833-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector M. González ◽  
Wassim Tarraf
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
National Probability Sample

ABSTRACTBackground: To describe and examine the distribution, disability, and treatment associated with comorbid cardiovascular disease and major depressive disorder (CVD/MDD) among middle-aged and older ethnic/racial groups in the United States.Methods: Cross-sectional data from a national probability sample of household resident adults (18 years and older; N = 16,423) living in the 48 coterminous United States were analyzed. We defined comorbid CVD/MDD as the presence of CVD (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke) among adults who met MDD criteria at or after age 50 years.Results: Two-thirds of middle-aged and older American adults meeting criteria major depression at or after age 50 years also reported a diagnosis of comorbid CVD. Blacks were most likely to meet our comorbid CVD/MDD (74.4%) criteria. The disease burden of depression was also highest among Black respondents. Differences in treatment due to race/ethnicity and comorbidity were not statistically significant.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that among middle-aged and older US adults meeting MDD criteria more than half would also report a comorbid CVD. Comorbid CVD/MDD rates varied between the considered ethnic/race groups. Functional impairment associated with comorbid CVD/MDD was higher than MDD alone; however, depression care rates did not differ remarkably. Among middle-aged and older adults meeting MDD criteria, comorbid CVD may be the rule rather than the exception.

scholarly journals Medical and Mental Health Comorbidities Among Minority Racial/Ethnic Groups in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naheed Ahmed ◽  
C. Andrew Conway
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
American Indians ◽  
Heart Attack ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Objective. To examine the prevalence of and the association between comorbid disorders and race/ethnicity in the United States. Methods. Using cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [N=45,207,844], we examined comorbidity of psychological distress with self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, angina, and with history of heart attack and stroke. Logistic regression was used to examine between group differences by race/ethnicity. Results. Unadjusted results indicate that American Indian [OR 4.01, 95%CI: 1.78, 9.04] and Hispanic [OR 1.55, 95%CI: 1.04, 2.33] participants were more likely to have psychological distress and history of heart attack in comparison to Whites. American Indians were more likely to have psychological distress with angina [OR 3.82, 95%CI: 1.92, 7.63], and with history of stroke [OR 4.25, 95%CI: 2.16-8.26] in unadjusted results when compared to White participants. Conclusions. Our results suggest that racial/ethnic minority groups are more likely to suffer from comorbid mental health and medical conditions, which may be a result of stress arising from discrimination and historical oppression of these populations.

Blood Dehydroepiandrosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate as Pathophysiological Correlates of Chronic Pain: Analyses Using a National Sample of Midlife Adults in the United States

Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Li ◽  
Benjamin P Chapman ◽  
Shannon M Smith
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Midlife Adults

Abstract Objective Identifying biomarkers is a priority in translational chronic pain research. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form, DHEA-S, are adrenocortical steroids in the blood with neuroprotective properties that also produce sex hormones. They may capture key sex-specific neuroendocrine mechanisms of chronic pain. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Using data from 1,216 community-dwelling adults aged 34–84 from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) cohort, we examined blood DHEA and DHEA-S levels in association with chronic pain in men and women, adjusting for demographics, chronic diseases, medications including opioids, and psychosocial factors. If an association was found, we further explored dose-response relationships by the number of pain locations and the degree of pain interference. Results In women, chronic pain was associated with 0.072 lower (95% confidence interval [CI], –0.127 to –0.017) log10 DHEA-S µg/dL, with pain in one to two locations associated with 0.068 lower (95% CI, –0.131 to –0.006) and in three or more locations 0.071 lower (95% CI, –0.148 to 0.007) log10 DHEA-S (P for trend = 0.074). Furthermore for women, low-interference pain was associated with 0.062 lower (95% CI, –0.125 to –0.000), whereas high-interference pain was associated with 0.138 lower (95% CI, –0.233 to –0.043) log10 DHEA-S (P for trend = 0.004). Chronic pain was not associated with DHEA or DHEA-S levels in men or DHEA levels in women. Conclusions Chronic pain and its functional interference correspond to lower blood DHEA-S levels in women.

scholarly journals Widening disparities in cigarette smoking by race/ethnicity across education level in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 106220 ◽  
Author(s):  
France T. Nguyen-Grozavu ◽  
John P. Pierce ◽  
Kari-Lyn K. Sakuma ◽  
Eric C. Leas ◽  
Sara B. McMenamin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Patterns of Immigration and Public Assistance Utilization, 1970–1980

1988 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leif Jensen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Public Assistance ◽  
Immigrant Families ◽  
The United States ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
To Receive

The recent surge in immigration to the United States has rekindled debate over the economic burden imposed by immigrants. This article explores the utilization of public assistance by immigrants and natives. The analysis goes beyond existing research by utilizing repeated cross-sectional data. Descriptive tables show that despite their higher poverty rates, immigrant families had only minimally higher public assistance recipiency rates compared to natives. Multivariate logistic regression analyses reveal that immigrant families were generally less likely than natives to receive public assistance, other things equal. There were exceptions to this generalization according to year of observation and race/ethnicity.

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