This dissertation examines the role of ethnic enclaves on diabetes and depression risk for older Latinos of Mexican-origin living in the Southwestern United States. I use the 2004-2005 Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiological Studies of the Elderly (Hispanic EPESE) survey, in addition to United States (U.S.) Census data and business data from Infogroup. Using multilevel logistic regression, I examine if ethnic enclaves are associated with diabetes, and explore the possible underlying mechanisms by testing for mediation or moderation by social networks and ethnic ownership of businesses. I follow the same analysis for ethnic enclaves and depression risk. My findings suggest that ethnic enclaves provide a protective effect for diabetes, even when controlling for neighborhood- and individual-level characteristics. I do not observe mediation or moderation by social networks as measured by a social ties scale and the social cohesion and trust scale. There is also no moderation by the concentration of Latino-owned businesses in a neighborhood. For depression risk, my findings show a protective effect by ethnic enclaves, however the protective effect is only present once I adjust for neighborhood- and individual-level characteristics including having recently moved. Further examining the ethnic enclave and depression risk relationship, I observe some mediation by social ties and social cohesion and trust. However I do not find any impact on the ethnic enclave and depression risk association by concentration of Latino-owned businesses. Furthermore, results indicate a different health effect by immigrant enclaves on depression risk. Living in a neighborhood with a high immigrant concentration is a risk factor for depression, however this effect appears to be mediated by social networks, measured by social ties and social cohesion and trust. Thus, while ethnic enclaves seem to be protective of health for older Mexican-origin adults, the mechanisms explaining the protective effect may be different for diabetes and depression risk. Also there appears to be differences in the impact of neighborhood characteristics on health, such that an ethnic enclave may be protective while an immigrant neighborhood is a risk factor to health.

This book delves into the consequences of rapid population aging for Mexico and U.S. Latinos, impacting various institutions, including families, the labor force, and healthcare systems. It examines in depth the causes and consequences of the increasing prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia, especially early-onset decline in the Mexican-origin population. The book identifies resilience factors as critical to successful aging and health in the Mexican and Mexican-American populations from a transdisciplinary perspective. It also examines the diversity in the experiences of older adults with dementia and related disorders and that of their families in Mexico and the United States. The book also helps to better understand the levels of need and support capacity in both nations and the organizational contexts of long-term care in both countries. The ultimate goal of this sixth volume in the series on aging in the Americas is to identify critical sources of vulnerability and possible policy options for closing the gap in affordable and sustainable long-term care and financial wellbeing for low-resource populations living with dementia and other medical conditions in both countries. The volume presents new information, consensus data, potential venues for intervention, and action frameworks to advance current knowledge grounded in global aging health systems research of closing disparities in vulnerable populations at high risk of declining cognitive and physical health in two different political contexts. As such, the book provides a wealth of information for researchers, policy makers and professionals in the field of population aging.

This timely and much-needed book addresses the demographic trends affecting the Latinos in the United States, Mexico and Latin America, looking at the health concerns and of this growing population, as it ages. Further examination of this previously understudied group– now the nation’s largest minority group – offers the possibility to promote healthy aging for the entire nation. As international immigration continues to increase, collections such as this are critical for understanding the social and health consequences of this immigration.

Aging, Health, and Longevity in the Mexican-Origin Population creates a foundation for an interdisciplinary discussion of the trajectory of disability and long-term care for older people of Mexican-origin from a bi-national perspective. Although the literature on Latino elders in the United States is growing, few of these studies or publications offer the breadth and depth contained in this book.

This book fosters a deeper understanding of the growing Latino elderly population and the implications on society. It examines post-WWII demographic and social changes and summarizes research from sociology, psychology, economics, and public health to shed light on the economic, physical, and mental well-being of older Latinos. The political and cultural implications including possible policy changes are also considered. Written in an engaging style, each chapter opens with a vignette that puts a human face on the issues. Boxed exhibits highlight social programs and policies and physical and mental health challenges that impact Latino elders. Web alerts direct readers to sites that feature more detailed information related to the chapter’s issues. Each chapter also features an introduction, examples, tables, figures, a summary, and discussion questions. The self-contained chapters can be presented in any order. Latinos in an Aging World explores: Real world problems individuals face in dealing with poverty, immigration, and health and retirement decisions The latest data on Latinos as compared to research on African- and Asian- Americans where appropriate The unique historical, demographic, social, familial, and economic situations of various Latino subgroups including those from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba How ethnicity affects one’s position of wealth and power and sense of citizenship. The consequence of life-long disadvantages and stigmatization on economic, physical, and mental well-being The impact of one’s neighborhood and the proximity to those from similar cultures on quality of life. The introduction motivates the book and sets the stage for the entire discussion. Chapter 1 reviews the histories of the major Hispanic subgroups along with various theories as they relate to race, ethnicity, and gender that provide a conceptual framework for understanding the later chapters. Demographic, economic, and social profiles of the various Hispanic subgroups are explored in chapter 2. Next the Latino population is explored from various perspectives including the economic and social situations of men and women and their educational, marital and family, and labor force experiences. Chapter 4 examines older immigrants and their families and identifies the resources available to them in their communities that often replicate the cultural and social support system of the old country. Major health risks that older Latinos face as a result of the disadvantages they experience throughout life are examined in chapter 5. Family situations and long-term care and living arrangements of older Hispanics are examined in chapter 6. The impact of neighborhood on quality of life in terms of safety and physical and mental wellbeing is explored in chapter 7. The burden that eldercare can place upon those who bear the responsibility of their daily care is explored in chapter 8. Chapter 9 investigates the gaps in income between minority and non-Hispanic white Americans and reviews what individuals with few resources need to know about financial management. The book concludes with the social, political, and economic implications of the growing Hispanic population and the role of NGOs and other organizations in providing services to older populations. Intended for courses on Latinos and aging, diversity, race and ethnicity, minorities and aging, adult development and aging, the psychology or sociology or politics of aging, geriatric social work, public health and aging, global aging, social or family policy, and health and society taught in the behavioral and social sciences, ethnic, or Latin American/Chicano Studies, this book also appeals to researchers and practitioners who work with Hispanic families.

The primary objective of this dissertation project was to describe the pattern of effect modification caused by sociocultural status on identified risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. This case-control study included 244 Mexican American women, between the ages of 50-79, who were enrolled in the Observational Study of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) in San Diego, Tucson, or San Antonio between 1994-1997. Seventy-eight diabetics and 166 nondiabetics were included in the study. As a supplement to data already collected by the WHI, a telephone survey was used to gather information on acculturation and diabetes related knowledge and behavior. Results support previous findings that increased age; a positive family history of diabetes, obesity, and centralized adiposity; and a sedentary lifestyle are important independent predictors of diabetes. The risk of diabetes associated with obesity is moderated by acculturation in a nonlinear fashion. Specifically, risk of diabetes associated with obesity was lowest at either the high or the low end of the acculturation spectrum, but highest in the midrange. The risk of diabetes associated with a higher waist hip ratio increases with income and acculturation. With respect to educational status, the risk of disabetes is related in a nonlinear fashion and is magnified for women with 7th-12th grade education. However, in the presence of other risk factors such as family history of diabetes and age, the importance of sociocultural status as an effect modifier diminishes.