Hispanic Paradox

The Hispanic Paradox refers to the epidemiological finding that Hispanics in the U.S. tend to paradoxically have substantially better health than the average population in spite of what their aggregate socio-economic indicators would predict. The specific cause of the phenomenon is poorly understood, although the decisive factor appears to be place of birth, ["Immigrants Go from Health to Worse"
formerly at:
http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc98/9_19_98/fob1.htm ,
archived at:
http://www.math.missouri.edu/~rich/MGM/birthUSA1.txt] ["Immigration Blues: Born in the USA: Mental-health deficit"
formerly at:
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20041218/fob2.asp ,
archived at:
http://www.math.missouri.edu/~rich/MGM/birthUSA2.txt ] raising the possibility that differing birthing practices might be involved. [Munchausen Obstetrics
http://www.math.missouri.edu/~rich/MGM/birthUSA3.txt]

Also known as "Hispanic Epidemiological Paradox", "Latino Paradox", and "Latino Epidemiological Paradox".

The Hispanic Paradox is something that only holds true for recent persons that have migrated from Latin American countries in good standing health. After approximately 6 months, the persons either become acculturated to the new culture and develop similar health outcomes as that culture, or maintain their original health related behaviors and cultural norms outside of their original culture.

References

*"Understanding the Hispanic paradox", Franzini L, Ribble JC and Keddie AM, in Ethnicity and Disease, 11(3):496-518.