Publication type
Journal Article
Author
Publication date
April 15, 2014
Summary:
ObjectivesTo understand the role of birthplace in chronic disease in adults and very old individuals.Study designTwo
national and population-based studies (UK Longitudinal Household Survey
and US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys) in 2009–2010
were included.MethodInformation
on demographics, lifestyle factors and self-reported chronic diseases
was obtained by household interview. Analyses included Chi-squared test,
t-test and logistic regression modelling.ResultsIn
the UK, there were more cases of heart failure and myocardial
infarction in adults (aged 20–79 years) born in Scotland, and more cases
of coronary heart disease in adults born in Northern Ireland. There
were fewer cases of asthma, depression and hypothyroidism in adults born
in Northern Ireland and not born in the UK, and fewer cases of cancer,
chronic bronchitis and epilepsy in adults not born in the UK. In USA,
there were fewer cases of asthma, cancer, chronic bronchitis, heart
failure and heart attack, but more cases of liver disease in adults born
in Mexico. Similarly, there were fewer cases of asthma, cancer and
chronic bronchitis in adults born in other Spanish or non-Spanish
countries, although there were more cases of liver disease in other
Spanish-born adults and more cases of diabetes in other non-Spanish-born
adults. In very old (≥80 years) individuals, there were more cases of
chronic bronchitis in those born in Wales, more cases of myocardial
infarction in those born in Northern Ireland, and more cases of diabetes
and liver disease in those not born in the UK. Overall, diabetes was
more common in foreign-born adults, and respiratory illness and cancer
were more common in native-born adults.ConclusionsIt is suggested that future health policy and public health programmes should consider birthplace.
Published in
Public Health
Volume and page numbers
Volume: 128 , p.341 -349
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2013.12.011
ISSN
333506
Subjects
Notes
Not held in Research Library - bibliographic reference only
#522568