SPH Calendar

What: The Hispanic Paradox: Reality and Misconception

When: 10-11 a.m. Friday Oct. 17

Where: West Bank Office Building, room 34

David A. Shoham, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, will discuss the Hispanic Paradox: Reality and Misconception. For more information contact Carol Raichert at 612-625-1836.

Abstract
The "Hispanic Paradox" refers to the phenomenon of lower morbidity and mortality rates among Hispanics living in the U.S. compared to the majority non-Hispanic White population, which would not be expected given that Hispanic populations may be socially marginalized and experience adverse socioeconomic conditions. The paradox is not seen for all diseases (e.g., diabetes is an exception), nor for all Hispanic subgroups (the phenomenon is more "Mexican-American" than "Hispanic"). Several reasons for this phenomenon will be discussed: those that are "real" (cultural advantages, protection offered by ethnic enclaves, etc.), and those that arise from known biases (health migrant effect, undercounting, and "Salmon bias"). An analysis using nationally representative data will be presented and its limitations discussed.