Health Selectivity in Mexico-U.S. Migration and Return: A Binational Perspective

In recent years, the health profile of certain immigrant groups in the U.S has been characterized as "paradoxical" (Hummer, Powers, Pullum, Gossman, & Frisbie, 2007).  A well-established pattern of relatively advantaged health for particular immigrant groups, in spite of higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage, has emerged across a wide range of health outcomes.  The immigrant health advantage has been particularly pronounced among the Mexican-Origin population (Palloni & Arias, 2004). The objective of this study is to better understand the immigrant health advantage by examining the process of health selection among Mexican emigrants to the U.S.  Doing so will contribute directly to health disparities research by clarifying the basis of the Mexican immigrant health advantage.  Given that one quarter of the U.S. population is projected to be Latino by 2050, with the majority Mexican-Origin, increased attention to these enigmatic patterns is essential (U.S. Census Bureau 2008).