ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the available evidence concerning disease rates and health outcomes, while also presenting a discussion of cultural pathways which may moderate and mediate the observed findings. Although the expressed focus of this book is to characterize the Mexican American experience, the associated physical health data for this population is in many instances, lacking. Socio-demographic factors, including socioeconomic status (SES), are amongst the most robust psychosocial predictors of mental and physical health. Latinos experience significant socioeconomic disparities relative to NH Whites, including substantial disparities in education, employment, wages, and individual-, childhood-, and household poverty. Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL;), a multisite, prospective population-based study of 16,000 Latinos, is unique in that it aims to stratify risk by Hispanic/Latino backgrounds. It is also possible that cultural factors may provide resilience to offset risks and buffer against disease progression.
