The Midlife Health of Immigrants Who Attended U.S. Schools

Emily Lybbert , University of Texas at Austin
Chandra Muller, University of Texas at Austin

Immigration in the U.S. is associated with higher educational achievement in the second generation and the link between education and health is established. Are there midlife health differences between the children of immigrants and the children of native born citizens who grow up together? How is this relationship influenced by race, ethnicity, and education? Using data from the High School and Beyond Surveys we analyze this relationship and reveal conditions through which immigration status leads to better and worse health outcomes. We find a positive association between parental immigration and midlife health, but a negative association between personal immigration and health. We also analyze differences between Hispanic ethnic groups and how immigration influences health through educational achievement.

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 Presented in Session 7. Migration & Urbanization