Border Epidemiological Study of Aging: Understanding Disparities in Mortality and Morbidity Among Mexican Americans Along the Southern US Border

Authors

Wissam Al KhouryFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Public Health

First Advisor's Name

Elena Bastida

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Zoran Bursac

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Timothy Hayes

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Michael Anastario

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

epidemiology, health and medical administration, occupational health and industrial hygiene, public health, public health education and promotion, social and behavioral sciences

Date of Defense

2022

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the association between nativity, age at migration for the Mexican born, farmwork, neighborhood context and mortality over a 25-year period in a statistically representative sample of Mexican Americans aged 45 and older at baseline. Data from the Border Epidemiologic Study of Aging (BESA) were used to investigate mortality, health related and social factors in the study population. Analysis and discussion of the BESA data extend over three subsequent manuscripts that examine: a) differences in health trajectories and mortality for the Mexican born and US born; b) farmworker health; and c) impact of neighborhood security and family support on mortality. This analysis incorporates several existing theoretical explanations on migration and health to include the healthy migrant and its corollary, the Hispanic paradox. Results indicate that individuals who migrated to the United States during mid-adulthood have a significant lower risk of mortality compared to those who migrated earlier in life. Moreover, being a farmworker increased one’s risk of death, especially when spending more than 31 years in farm work. The most frequently reported causes of death for farmworkers were liver, renal, pulmonary disorders, and complications of diabetes. Finally, the third manuscript indicates very strong satisfaction among study participants when reporting on their neighborhood and their neighbors. We suggest that these findings, possibly directly or indirectly, may contribute to their overall level of life satisfaction which itself may contribute to positive health outcomes and longer life for the studied population.

Identifier

FIDC010893

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0583-6520

Recommended Citation

Al Khoury, Wissam, "Border Epidemiological Study of Aging: Understanding Disparities in Mortality and Morbidity Among Mexican Americans Along the Southern US Border" (2022). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5179.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5179