Immigrant Health & Health Disparities Research Lab

National Institute On Minority Health And Health Disparities

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The U.S. is currently home to almost 48 million immigrants. The number of immigrants in the U.S. is expected to reach 78.2 million by 2065. Overall, immigrants and their offspring are projected to account for 88% of the total population around the same time. Nonetheless, the processes of immigration and acculturation can be highly disruptive and translate to a higher risk for stress-related disease and suboptimal lifestyles. Given the rapidly growing United States immigrant population and the known health risks associated with acculturation, it is critical to examine the complex relationships that can compromise immigrants' health. Consequently, the IHD is applying interdisciplinary and novel approaches to disentangle the factors associated with poor immigrant health and mental health/mental well-being. Below is a summary of the research we have conducted in the past year to help understand the issue. Continuing Research Projects 1. Formative Research to Understand Shelter-in-Place Measure on Mental Health (IRB #00038) This project aims to qualitatively examine the experiences of social distancing and isolation practices and their effects on psychological distress levels among the U.S. minority and immigrant populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Papers/Manuscripts Under Review/InProgress In this national survey of 5,938 US-born (77%) and foreign-born (23%) adults, we examined substance use coping behaviors by US nativity during the time of COVID-19. Under review. The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on the frequent use of e-cigarettes and its association with substance use and mental health disorder symptoms. Under review. Associations between stress due to social distancing and symptoms of anxiety and depression among persons with and without COVID-19: differences by gender and immigrant status. In progress. The association between discrimination and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity and its impact on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. In progress. The prevalence of major depressive disorder among Hispanics/Latinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. In progress. Association of discrimination and depression and anxiety during COVID-19 Pandemic among the U.S. adult population. In progress. Differences in likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination by sociodemographic, mental health, and perceived risk among a national sample of US adults. In progress. Household food security during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on mental health Associations between perceived likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination status among sexual minority and non-sexual minority persons. In progress. The difference in vaccine hesitancy between US-born versus foreign-born in progress. The relationship of vaccination rates by discrimination while accounting for nativity, socioeconomic status, and sociodemographic factors. In progress. Differences in the perceived likelihood of receiving COVID-19 vaccine. Under review. 2. Genetic and Social Network Correlates of Rheumatoid Arthritis Outcomes in Hispanic Populations (IRB #000912) This project is a collaboration with the National Human Genome Research Institute (Collaborations with Drs. Laura Koehly and Jielu Lin). The aims of to: (1) characterize how known genetic risk loci are associated with rheumatoid arthritis severity in Hispanic populations; and (2) determine the relative contribution of genetic risk loci and family networks to rheumatoid arthritis severity; and 3) characterize how rheumatoid arthritis severity and family networks affect rheumatoid arthritis-attributable functional limitations, depressive symptoms, and anxiety in Hispanic populations. Status Data collection is in progress. 3. National Survey of Childrens Health: Secondary Data Analysis (Collaboration with Dr. Kelvin Choi) This is a cross-sectional survey of nationally representative of children from ages 0-17 years of age. It provides rich data on multiple, intersecting aspects of childrens lives including physical and mental health, access to quality health care, and the childs family, neighborhood, school, and social context. The proposed analysis aims to examine the relationship between parent-child nativity, race/ethnicity, and adverse childhood experiences among children in the United States. Further analysis will also assess disparities in mental health outcomes, utilization by parent nativity, and generation status. Papers/Manuscripts Under Review/InProgress Parent-child nativity, race, ethnicity, and adverse childhood experiences among U.S. children. We examined the relationship between parent-child nativity, race/ethnicity, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among U.S. children. We found that a high proportion of Black/Hispanic children experienced ACEs, with variation by generation for Hispanic but not Black children, and a lower but increasing proportion of White children experienced ACEs by generation. Published. Parent-child nativity, race, ethnicity, and mental health conditions among U.S. children. In progress. 4. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) This nationally representative study has been available since 1957 and provides data on various health topics including healthcare access and health behaviors. This project aims to identify and understand various aspects of poor physical health, mental health, and mental health utilization among U.S.-born and foreign-born. Papers/Manuscripts Under Review/InProgress The relationship of sociodemographic factors, neighborhood cohesion, and abnormal sleep duration among U.S.-foreign-born subpopulations. We conducted a multinomial logistic regression using the 2013-2018 NHIS on US foreign-born adults (N=27253). Results: Low and medium neighborhood cohesion individuals compared to high neighborhood cohesion had 45% increased odds of short sleep: Social determinants, acculturation, and behavioral risk factors in the context of neighborhood cohesion are critical to understanding U.S.-foreign-born Hispanic/Latino sleep duration, as these factors may negatively synergize to exacerbate risk, worsening mental and physical health outcomes. Published Profiles of Sleep duration and psychological distress among Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. Published Association of depression and self-reported health status by nativity and citizenship status. In progress Assessment of multiple chronic diseases on psychological distress among US-born and foreign-born adults across insurance status. In progress Neighborhood cohesion and psychological distress. A mediation analysis. In progress. 5. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) This unique cross-sectional survey is part of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics program, which combines interviews and physical examinations. We aim to examine acculturation risk factors of physical and psychosocial among immigrant populations in the U.S. Acculturation and depression are associated with short and long sleep duration among Mexican Americans. Published. Acculturation and depression increase trouble falling asleep in foreign-born Mexican Adults. Under review. Acculturation profiles of weight perception status among us foreign-born Hispanic/Latino adults. Published. Asthma prevalence among sexual minority adults in the U.S. Published. Hispanic/Latino acculturation profiles and telomere length. Published.