Selected measures of health status for Mexican-American, mainland Puerto Rican, and Cuban-American children

F. S. Mendoza, S. J. Ventura, R. B. Valdez, R. O. Castillo, L. E. Saldivar, K. Baisden and R. Martorell
School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA 94305.

The 1987 National Vital Statistics System and the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1982 through 1984) were used to assess the health status of Mexican-American, mainland Puerto Rican, and Cuban-American children by examining the prevalences of pregnancy outcomes and chronic medical conditions. The low-birth-weight rate among Hispanics (7.0%) compared favorably with that of non-Hispanic whites (7.1%) despite the greater poverty and lower levels of education among Hispanics. When examined by Hispanic subgroup, however, significant differences were present, with mainland Puerto Ricans having the highest prevalences of low-birth-weight infants. Premature births were more common among all three Hispanic subgroups than among non-Hispanic whites. Mexican-American and Cuban-American children had a similar prevalence of (3.9% and 2.5%, respectively) chronic medical conditions compared with non-Hispanic white children; Puerto Rican children had a higher prevalence of chronic medical conditions (6.2%). When assessed by these health status indicators, Hispanic children seem to have a health status similar to non-Hispanic white children. However, mainland Puerto Rican children seem at greater risk for poor health, reflecting the US Hispanic population's heterogeneity. Health programs targeted at US Hispanics should appropriately consider these group differences.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

A System for Rapidly and Accurately Collecting Patients' Race and Ethnicity
Baker et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2006;96:532-537.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Heterogeneity of Childhood Asthma Among Hispanic Children: Puerto Rican Children Bear a Disproportionate Burden
Lara et al.
Pediatrics 2006;117:43-53.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Use of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist in a Low-Income, Mexican American Population
Jutte et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2003;157:1169-1176.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Relationship of Health Insurance to the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma and Respiratory Problems in Children in a Predominantly Hispanic Urban Community
Freeman et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2003;93:1316-1320.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Health of Latino Children: Urgent Priorities, Unanswered Questions, and a Research Agenda
Flores et al.
JAMA 2002;288:82-90.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Unraveling the Ecology of Risks for Early Childhood Asthma Among Ethnically Diverse Families in the Southwest
Klinnert et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2002;92:792-798.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Why Do Mexican Americans Give Birth to Few Low-Birth-Weight Infants?
Buekens et al.
Am J Epidemiol 2000;152:347-351.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Independent Primary Care Practice by Nurse Practitioners
Sox
JAMA 2000;283:106-108.
FULL TEXT  

Testing the Epidemiologic Paradox of Low Birth Weight in Latinos
Fuentes-Afflick et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1999;153:147-153.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Maternal Birthplace, Ethnicity, and Low Birth Weight in California
Fuentes-Afflick et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1998;152:1105-1112.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT