WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., June 5 (UPI) -- Highly-segregated U.S. neighborhoods usually have increased health problems, but some enclaves might support better health for Mexican-Americans.
"Our results show that family and ethnic ties might be resourceful for Mexican-Americans," study leader Min-Ah Lee, of Purdue University, said in a statement.
The findings, published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, stem from 1990 U.S. Census Bureau data of Puerto Ricans and Mexican-Americans as well as responses to a survey of different Hispanic groups conducted from 1995 to 1996 in Chicago and New York City.
The survey revealed that Mexican-Americans in segregated areas had overall better health than their Puerto Rican counterparts. In addition, the health of Mexican-Americans in highly segregated neighborhoods also seemed to improve with each generation.
Strong family and community ties might make it easier for new members of the Mexican-American community to learn how to access health information, locate care providers and exchange resources, according to the researchers.
