Immigrant Selectivity and Disparities in Birth Outcomes

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的研究将有助于通过探索出生悖论（平均而言，外国出生的母亲比具有类似社会经济地位的本地出生的母亲具有更好的出生结果）来了解种族/民族健康不平等。使用最近三项研究的汇总数据，我们将系统地调查移民选择性对出生悖论的贡献程度，我们还将通过调查抵达美国的年龄与在美国居住的时间对出生结果的影响来测试“文化适应”和“风化”理论。 了解移民到美国后，移民的健康如何受到影响，将为了解美国种族和民族健康差异的决定因素提供一个窗口。 公共卫生相关性：拟议的研究将增加关于少数群体成员之间出生结果差异原因的知识和信息。这一新的知识应导致对家庭采取更有效的干预措施，从而改善生育结果，使儿童更健康。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed research will contribute to knowledge about racial/ethnic inequalities in health by exploring the nativity paradox - the fact that foreign born mothers, on average, have better birth outcomes than native born mothers of similar socioeconomic status. Using pooled data from three recent studies, we will systematically investigate the extent to which immigrant selectivity contributes to the nativity paradox and we will also test "acculturation" and "weathering" theories by investigating the effects of age at arrival in the U.S. versus duration of residence in the U.S. on birth outcomes. Understanding how the health of immigrants is affected after immigration to the U.S will provide a window into the determinants of racial and ethnic disparities in health in the U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed research will increase knowledge and information about the causes of disparities in birth outcomes among members of minority groups. This new knowledge should lead to more effective interventions for families and subsequently to better birth outcomes and healthier children.