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Bakhtiari E, Das J. The Immigrant Mortality Advantage Among Over-65 Middle Eastern and North African Immigrants to the United States. J Immigr Minor Health 2024:10.1007/s10903-024-01622-5. [PMID: 39097841 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-024-01622-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Immigrants to the United States often have longer life expectancies than their U.S.-born counterparts, however it is unclear whether a similar "immigrant advantage" exists for immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This study uses a novel machine-learning name classifier to offer one of the first national-level examinations of MENA mortality patterns by nativity in the United States. A recurrent neural network model was developed to identify MENA individuals based on given name and surname characteristics. The model was trained on more than 2.5 million mortality-linked social security records in the Berkeley Unified Numident Mortality Database (BUNMD). Mortality rates and life expectancy were estimated using a Gompertz distribution and maximum likelihood estimation, focusing on high-coverage years between 1988 and 2005 and deaths over age 65. Foreign-born MENA men over 65 showed a significant immigrant mortality advantage with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.64 and an estimated 3.13 additional years of life expectancy at age 65 compared to U.S.-born counterparts. Foreign-born MENA women also exhibited an advantage, with a HR of 0.71 and an additional 2.24 years of life expectancy at age 65. This study is one of the first national-level analyses of mortality outcomes among the over-65 MENA population in the United States, finding a MENA immigrant mortality advantage. The results suggest further research is needed to identify and disaggregate the MENA population in health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyas Bakhtiari
- Department of Sociology, William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 23185, USA.
| | - Jacinta Das
- William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 23185, USA
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Ajrouch KJ, Zahodne LB, Brauer S, Tarraf W, Antonucci TC. COVID-19 Stress and Cognitive Disparities in Black, MENA, and White Older Adults. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2024; 64:gnae073. [PMID: 38853657 PMCID: PMC11266980 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnae073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Population aging has led to an increased interest in cognitive health and, in particular, the role that stress plays in cognitive disparities. This paper extends previous work by characterizing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stress type prevalence and its association with cognitive health in metro-Detroit among Black, Middle Eastern/Arab (MENA), and White older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data come from a regionally representative sample of adults aged 65+ in metro-Detroit (N = 600; MENA n = 199; Black n = 205; White n = 196). We used generalized linear models to compare groups on sociodemographic, objective stress, and social stress indicators. Multiple group structural equation models evaluated whether COVID-19 stress predicted cognitive health and whether that association varied across racial/ethnic groups. RESULTS MENA and Black older adults reported higher levels of objective stress than Whites. There were no racial/ethnic group differences in social stress. More objective stress was associated with better cognitive health, and more social stress was associated with worse cognitive health. The positive effect of objective stress was especially apparent for White older adults. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Though it appears that minority stress was not exacerbated in the context of pandemic stress, links between greater objective stress and better cognitive health apparent among White older adults were not evident among MENA or Black older adults. Broadening health disparities research by including underrepresented populations allows us to elevate scientific knowledge by clarifying what is universal and what is unique about the stress process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine J Ajrouch
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Laura B Zahodne
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Simon Brauer
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Wassim Tarraf
- Department of Healthcare Sciences and Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Toni C Antonucci
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Smith A, Kindratt TB. Health Information Technology Use among Foreign-Born Adults of Middle Eastern and North African Descent in the United States. J Immigr Minor Health 2024:10.1007/s10903-024-01617-2. [PMID: 38972028 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-024-01617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Health information technology (HIT) use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent is understudied. MENA Americans are currently categorized as "White" in the United States (US) on federal forms. Our purpose was to uncover the prevalence of HIT use among MENA immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born White adults before and after adjusting for covariates. The 2011-2018 National Health Interview Survey data (n = 161,613; ages 18 + years) were analyzed. HIT uses evaluated were searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and communicating with healthcare providers via email (last 12 months). Crude and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of each HIT use (searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and/or communicating with healthcare providers via email), and overall use of any HIT before and after adjustment. The most common HIT use was looking up health information (46.4% foreign-born MENA, 47.8% foreign-born White, 51.2% US-born White; p = .0079). Foreign-born adults of MENA descent had lower odds (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.56-0.74) of reporting any HIT use, but no difference in reporting all HIT uses compared to US-born White adults. This is the first study to explore HIT use among MENA Americans. Results contribute to growing body of literature showing the health of MENA Americans differs from White Americans. A separate racial/ethnic identifier is needed to better capture HIT uses among populations of MENA descent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Smith
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Tiffany B Kindratt
- Department of Kinesiology, Public Health Program, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019-0259, USA.
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Nguyen D, Liu R, Lee Y. Immigration, Racialization, and Asian American Older Adults' Cognitive Difficulties. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2024; 79:gbad109. [PMID: 37555887 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The sociohistorical experiences of Asian American older adults (AAOA) vary, but limited research has examined how immigration status operates as social determinants. This study builds on an existing framework to examine the relationship among social determinants and the differential effects of immigration status on cognitive difficulties among AAOA. METHODS Using 5-year estimate data from the 2019 American Community Survey, the study sample consisted of AAOA aged 65 years and older identifying as Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese (N = 100,584). AAOA were categorized as noncitizens, naturalized, or U.S. born for their immigration status. Participants who indicated having difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions were categorized as having cognitive difficulties. RESULTS Chinese were the most prevalent ethnic group (30%). Over 70% were naturalized citizens. About 8% endorsed having cognitive difficulties. According to bivariate analyses, there were considerable differences in AAOA's characteristics (e.g., age, gender, marital status, medical insurance, employment status) by their immigration status. The results from the logistic regressions showed that immigration status was independently associated with poor cognitive difficulties. By AAOA's immigration status, unique protective and risk factors were presented for cognitive difficulties. DISCUSSION The differential pattern of cognitive difficulties among AAOA reveals a fuller picture of variations within AAOA by immigration status. The results imply that more research is needed to develop culturally sensitive practices that account for the racialized differences by AAOA's immigration status. Further research into the interplay between structural determinants is necessary to formulate practice and policy interventions to address better successful aging for AAOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duy Nguyen
- School of Social Work, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Health Sciences, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yookyong Lee
- Department of Social Work, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Dallo FJ, Brown KK, Obembe A, Kindratt T. Disparities in Health Insurance Among Middle Eastern and North African American Children in the US. J Prim Care Community Health 2024; 15:21501319241255542. [PMID: 38769775 PMCID: PMC11110508 DOI: 10.1177/21501319241255542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate and compare the proportion of foreign-born Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) children without health insurance, public, or private insurance to foreign- and US-born White and US-born MENA children. METHODS Using 2000 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey data (N = 311 961 children) and 2015 to 2019 American Community Survey data (n = 1 892 255 children), we ran multivariable logistic regression to test the association between region of birth among non-Hispanic White children (independent variable) and health insurance coverage types (dependent variables). RESULTS In the NHIS and ACS, foreign-born MENA children had higher odds of being uninsured (NHIS OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.10-2.05; ACS OR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.88-2.37) compared to US-born White children. In the ACS, foreign-born MENA children had 2.11 times higher odds (95%CI = 1.83-2.45) of being uninsured compared to US-born MENA children. CONCLUSION Our findings have implications for the health status of foreign-born MENA children, who are currently more likely to be uninsured. Strategies such as interventions to increase health insurance enrollment, updating enrollment forms to capture race, ethnicity, and nativity can aid in identifying and monitoring key disparities among MENA children.
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Smith A, Kindratt T. Health information technology use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African decent in the United States. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3491745. [PMID: 37961100 PMCID: PMC10635357 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3491745/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Health information technology (HIT) use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent living in America is an understudied population. They are currently categorized as "White" in the United States (US) on federal forms. The purpose was to uncover the prevalence of HIT use among MENA immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born White adults before and after adjusting for other factors. The 2011-2018 National Health Interview Survey data (n = 161,613; ages 18 + years) was analyzed. HIT uses evaluated were searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and communicating with healthcare providers via email (last 12 months). Crude and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of each HIT use, any HIT use, and all HIT uses before and after adjustment. The most common HIT use was looking up health information, with 46.4% of foreign-born adults of MENA, 47.8% of foreign-born White, and 51.2% of US-born White adults reporting its use (p = .0079). Foreign-born adults of MENA descent had lower odds (OR = 0.64; 95%CI = 0.56-0.74) of reporting any HIT use, but no difference in reporting all HIT uses compared to US-born White adults in adjusted models. This is the first study to explore HIT use among Americans of MENA descent. Patterns of HIT use among adults of MENA descent differ from White adults. Results contribute to growing body of literature showing the health of Americans of MENA descent differs from White Americans. A separate racial/ethnic identifier is needed to better capture HIT uses among populations of MENA descent.
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Kindratt TB, Ajrouch KJ, Zahodne LB, Dallo FJ. Suspected Undiagnosed ADRD Among Middle Eastern and North African Americans. J Immigr Minor Health 2023; 25:1098-1107. [PMID: 37351736 PMCID: PMC10527952 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-023-01509-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
ADRD underdiagnosis among minority populations is well-established and known to be more prevalent among women. Yet, it remains unclear if these patterns exist among adults of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent. We estimated ADRD underdiagnosis among adults of MENA descent and other US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic Whites and compared sex-stratified results. We linked 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey and 2001-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (ages > = 65 years, n = 23,981). Undiagnosed ADRD was suspected if participants reported cognitive limitations without corresponding ADRD diagnosis. Undiagnosed ADRD was highest among adults of MENA descent (15.8%) compared to non-Hispanic Whites (US-born = 8.1%; foreign-born = 11.8%). Women of MENA descent had 2.52 times greater odds (95% CI = 1.31-4.84) of undiagnosed ADRD compared to US-born White women after adjusting for risk factors. This study contributes the first national estimates of undiagnosed ADRD among adults of MENA descent. Continued research is needed to facilitate policy changes that more comprehensively address health disparities and related resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany B Kindratt
- Public Health Program, Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, University of Texas at Arlington, 500 West Nedderman Drive, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA.
| | - Kristine J Ajrouch
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, Eastern Michigan University, 712 Pray-Harrold, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA
| | - Laura B Zahodne
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Florence J Dallo
- School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309-4452, USA
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Kindratt TB. Improving the Collection of National Health Data: the Case for the Middle Eastern and North African Checkbox for Communities in the USA. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023:10.1007/s40615-023-01759-3. [PMID: 37584808 PMCID: PMC10869635 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01759-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reviewing current minimum standards for collecting race/ethnicity data on federal forms. This review is extremely important for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans, who have been overlooked and unable to receive federal funding for their communities for decades. MENA individuals are defined as "White," which is particularly concerning given that research continues to identify that their health and lived experiences differ from Whites. From January to April 2023, the OMB requested public comments on a separate MENA checkbox. The purpose of this research was to describe public comments regarding the addition of the MENA checkbox on the US Census and other federal forms. METHODS A public comment period outlining changes to the collection of race/ethnicity data on the US Census and other federal forms opened in January 2023. Public comments were reviewed to determine whether MENA was mentioned, whether comments supported a MENA checkbox, and whether comments mentioned acceptance for health-related reasons. RESULTS There were 6700 comments reviewed. Most (73.88%) mentioned adding a MENA checkbox. Of those, 99.31% accepted adding the checkbox. Among the comments that accepted adding a MENA checkbox, 29.09% mentioned health, 44.75% mentioned linguistic/language services, and 44.75% mentioned education-related reasons. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the comments reviewed demonstrated strong acceptance of the addition of a MENA checkbox on federal forms. These findings are encouraging, yet further review is needed to contribute to the OMB's final decision on whether to add the checkbox and uncover the health of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany B Kindratt
- Public Health Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019-0259, USA.
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Kindratt TB. Improving the Collection of National Health Data: The Case for the Middle Eastern and North African Checkbox in the United States. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2790994. [PMID: 37131750 PMCID: PMC10153379 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2790994/v2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To describe public comments posted in relation to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Statistical Policy Directive 15 proposals regarding the addition of a separate Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) checkbox on the US Census and other required federal forms. Methods A public comment period outlining changes to the collection of race and ethnicity data on the US Census and other federal forms opened in January 2023. Public comments posted in February and March 2023 were reviewed to determine whether MENA was mentioned, whether comments supported a MENA checkbox, and whether comments mentioned support for health-related reasons. Results There were 3,062 comments reviewed. Most (71.49%) mentioned adding a MENA checkbox. Of those, 98.86% supported adding a MENA checkbox. Among those, 31.98% mentioned adding a MENA checkbox for health-related reasons. Conclusions Overall, the comments reviewed demonstrated strong support for the addition of a MENA checkbox on federal forms. These findings are encouraging yet further review is needed to contribute to the OMB’s final decision on whether to add the checkbox and uncover the health of this underrepresented population.
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Al-Rousan T, Kamalyan L, Bernstein Sideman A, Miller B, AlHeresh R, Moore A, Marquine MJ, Argeros G, Ajrouch KJ. Migration and Cognitive Health Disparities: The Arab American and Refugee Case. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:111-123. [PMID: 36056890 PMCID: PMC9890904 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigates whether the year of arrival to the United States (U.S.) and birthplace relate to postmigration cognitive difficulties among foreign- and U.S.-born Arab Americans in later life. METHODS We analyzed 19 years (2000-2019) of data from the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Samples (weighted N = 393,501; ages ≥ 50 years). Cognitive difficulty was based on self-reported data, and weighted means, percentages, adjusted prevalence estimates, and adjusted odds ratio were calculated. RESULTS Controlling only for demographics, foreign-born Arabs reported higher odds of cognitive difficulty compared to U.S.-born Arabs across all arrival cohorts (p < .001). After accounting for economic and integration factors, those who arrived between 1991 and 2000 had higher odds (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.00, 1.19, p < .01), while those who arrived after 2001 had lower odds (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78, 0.97, p < .001) of cognitive difficulty. Lacking English proficiency (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.82, 1.98, p < .001) was related to higher odds, whereas not being a U.S. citizen was significantly associated with lower odds (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.52, 0.94, p < .001) of cognitive difficulty. Yet, results varied by birthplace. Migrants born in Iraq consistently reported the highest odds of cognitive difficulty across all arrival cohorts. DISCUSSION Migration history and birthplace may be important factors explaining cognitive disparities among the diverse group of Arab migrants and Arab Americans. Future research examining mechanisms underlying these associations and the impact of migration on cognitive health is needed to address cognitive disparities in migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tala Al-Rousan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lily Kamalyan
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Alissa Bernstein Sideman
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bruce Miller
- Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rawan AlHeresh
- Mass General Health Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alison Moore
- Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - María J Marquine
- Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Grigoris Argeros
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
| | - Kristine J Ajrouch
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Kindratt TB, Dallo FJ, Zahodne LB, Ajrouch KJ. Cognitive Limitations Among Middle Eastern and North African Immigrants. J Aging Health 2022; 34:1244-1253. [PMID: 35606926 PMCID: PMC9633450 DOI: 10.1177/08982643221103712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate and compare the prevalence of cognitive limitations among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic Whites from Europe (including Russia/former USSR) and examine differences after controlling for risk factors. METHODS Cross-sectional data using linked 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey and 2001-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (ages >=65 years, n = 24,827) were analyzed. RESULTS The prevalence of cognitive limitations was 17.3% among MENA immigrants compared to 9.6% and 13.6% among US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic Whites from Europe. MENA immigrants had higher odds (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.06-3.34) of reporting a cognitive limitation than US-born non-Hispanic Whites after controlling for age, sex, education, hearing loss, hypertension, depression, social isolation, and diabetes. DISCUSSION To further examine cognitive health among the MENA aging population, policy changes are needed to identify this group that is often absent from research because of their federal classification as non-Hispanic Whites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany B. Kindratt
- Public Health Program, Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Florence J. Dallo
- Department of Public and Environmental Wellness, School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Laura B. Zahodne
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kristine J. Ajrouch
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
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Differential COVID-19 testing, admissions, and mortality for Arab Americans in Southern California. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267116. [PMID: 35421208 PMCID: PMC9009685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding of COVID-19 acquisition and severity risk in minoritized groups is limited by data collection on race and ethnicity; very little is known about COVID-19 risk among Arab Americans in the United States. PURPOSE To quantify whether Arab Americans in the El Cajon region of California experienced differential levels of SARS-CoV-2 infection, severity and mortality when compared to other racial/ethnic groups. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted using Sharp Grossmont Hospital's electronic medical records. Patients were included in the study if they were: 18 years of age or older, tested for SARS-CoV-2, admitted for COVID-19 infection, or had COVID-19 listed as a cause of death between March 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021. The primary outcomes of interest were a positive COVID-19 test result, admission to the hospital due to COVID-19, and in hospital COVID-19 related mortality. Comparisons were made across racial/ethnic groups using chi-squared statistics and logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographics, comorbidities, and time from March 2020. RESULTS Arab Americans had greater odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 than non-Hispanic White (adjusted odds ratio, AOR: 3.83, 95% confidence interval, CI: 3.29, 4.46) and non-Hispanic Black (AOR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.91, 2.88) patients but lower odds of admission (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.63) and in-hospital mortality (AOR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.65) than Hispanic patients. CONCLUSIONS There were distinct patterns for COVID-19 infection, severity, and mortality for Arab Americans in Southern California. Without a dedicated ethnic identifier, COVID-19 disparities facing Arab Americans will continue to go undocumented.
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The Disproportionate Burden of COVID-19 Cases among Arab Americans. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2022; 10:1108-1114. [PMID: 35394622 PMCID: PMC8992413 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-022-01298-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 cases are pervasive. Some minority, immigrant, and marginalized groups, such as Arab Americans, have been excluded from the research. This population confronts barriers to health care, discrimination, and other factors that may affect understanding, testing, and treatment as it relates to COVID-19. Arab Americans are unique compared to Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and Asians because Arab Americans do not have a specific ethnic identifier and are classified as non-Hispanic white. Given these issues, this study will estimate COVID-19 cases and examine associations among Arab Americans compared to Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Asian adults. Data from the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (March 2020-July 2021), the American Community Survey (2015-2019), and an Arab/Chaldean surname algorithm were used. Chi-square tests were used to determine statistically significant differences between groups. Logistic regression was used to estimate age-adjusted and sex-stratified proportions among Arab Americans compared to non-Hispanic whites before and after adjusting for age and sex. Approximately 17% of Arab Americans tested positive for COVID-19 compared to 11.32% of Hispanics, 9.80% of non-Hispanic blacks, 7.50% of non-Hispanic whites, and 4.24% of Asians. Arab Americans had 2.63 (95% CI: 2.59, 2.66) times greater odds of testing positive for COVID-19 compared to non-Hispanic whites. When Arab Americans were disaggregated from non-Hispanic whites, alarming patterns in COVID-19 cases were observed for Arab Americans. To accurately represent the burden of COVID-19 among Arab Americans, this population needs to have an ethnic identifier that informs appropriate health policy decisions and practice.
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Al-Rousan T, AlHeresh R, Saadi A, El-Sabrout H, Young M, Benmarhnia T, Han BH, Alshawabkeh L. Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among refugees and asylum seekers: Systematic review and meta-analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND PREVENTION 2022; 12:200126. [PMID: 35199106 PMCID: PMC8851152 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcrp.2022.200126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Methods and results Conclusions
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Affiliation(s)
- Tala Al-Rousan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Corresponding author. Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Rawan AlHeresh
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Altaf Saadi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hannah El-Sabrout
- University of California San Francisco Medical School, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Megan Young
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin H. Han
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Laith Alshawabkeh
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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