DISPARITIES IN DISABILITY AMONG ARAB AMERICANS BY NATIVITY STATUS AND IMMIGRANT ARRIVAL COHORT. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ajrouch, K; Read, J G; West, J
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.266
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines whether an immigrant health advantage exists among older Arab Americans. We analyzed data from the American Community Survey (2010–2014) to assess disability among Arab Americans ages 40+ (n=32 107) by nativity and year-of-entry arrival cohorts (pre-1991, 1991–2000, and 2001+). Multivariate logistic regression shows the foreign-born had a higher odds of disability than the native-born and this varied by arrival cohort. The post-2001 cohort had the highest odds of disability, compared to later cohorts. Differences in socioeconomic resources and English language ability contributed to these patterns, and adjustments for them resulted in statistically insignificant differences in disability. Foreign-born Arab Americans did not have an immigrant health advantage, and this was particularly evident for the most recent arrival cohort. Conflicts in the Middle East and economic and linguistic challenges in the U.S. will be discussed as potential vulnerabilities that might be overlooked when arrival cohort differences are not considered.