SSRI/DuPRI Seminar Series~ De-Mysitfying the Hispanic Paradox: Toward a Better Understanding of Health and Mortality Patterns among Mexican Origin Adults in the United States

ABSTRACT : There continues to be substantial interest and debate regarding the health and mortality patterns of the Hispanic population in the United States. Such interest and debate has arisen because the health and mortality patterns of the Hispanic population appear to be quite favorable, while the socioeconomic status profile of this population is highly disadvantaged. The combination of favorable health and disadvantaged socioeconomic status has been termed the Hispanic paradox and cuts against the grain of a key tenet in medical sociology and population health: that population groups with low socioeconomic status are characterized by poor health and high rates of mortality. This presentation takes a fresh look at the older adult health and mortality patterns of the Hispanic population and addresses several questions relevant to debates in this area. The presentation closes with research ideas and thoughts regarding the future health and mortality patterns of this rapidly growing population. Seminar #4069