Examining the ‘Latino Health Paradox’

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In Orange County, Calif., the “Latino health paradox” is evident.

Despite fewer resources and less access to regular medical care than wealthier white residents, low-income Latino immigrants have a longer average life expectancy and are more likely to have healthy birth outcomes, the Voice of OC reports in a two-part series.

But once in the U.S., those health advantages erode.

Research indicates that the children of immigrants have even poorer health regarding certain cancer, diabetes, birth outcomes and heart disease.

Many reasons cause this decline in health, including eating a less nutritious diet as immigrants and their children “acculturate” to American cuisine.

About 50 percent of students in Stanton, Santa Ana and Anaheim, Calif., are overweight or obese. Local officials say 1 of every 3 minorities will be diagnosed with diabetes by age 40.

Officials challenge people to live healthier lifestyles.

“I tell parents, ‘Eat like where you came from.’ The more families keep to their culture, the healthier they are,” Dr. Patricia Riba, who specializes in treating overweight and obese children in Orange County, told the Voice of OC. “My patients’ families came here for a better life – my Vietnamese and Mexican families – but it’s not always available to them. When they come to America, they pick up on our bad habits.”

Read Part 1 and watch its video, and read Part 2 and watch its video.

Part 1

Part 2