Life in Segregated Neighborhood May Improve Mexican-Americans' Health

MONDAY, June 4, 2007 (HealthDay News) -- Living in segregated neighborhoods may actually improve the health of Mexican-Americans, a new study suggests.

Other studies have found that living in segregated neighborhoods was associated with increased health problems for people in certain minority groups. But this study found that "family and ethnic ties might be resourceful for Mexican-Americans," study leader Min-Ah Lee, of Purdue University, said in a prepared statement.

The study included 233 Mexican-Americans and 167 Puerto Ricans in Chicago and New York City who answered questions about how often they experienced acute health problems such as headaches, nausea and chest pains. The participants also provided information about their ability to perform normal daily tasks.

Compared to Puerto Ricans who lived in more integrated communities, Puerto Ricans who lived in segregated neighborhoods were more likely to report acute physical symptoms, the survey found.

But, overall, Mexican-Americans in segregated communities had better health than Puerto Ricans in segregated neighborhoods. And the health of Mexican-Americans in segregated neighborhoods seemed to improve with each generation, the study said.

The close-knit social structure of Mexican-Americans may be a factor, because strong family and community ties may make it easier for new members of a Mexican-American community to learn how to access health information, find health-care providers, and exchange resources, the researchers suggested.

The findings are published in the June issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

More information

The CDC's Office of Minority Health has more about Hispanic/Latino health issues.