Examining the Role of Acculturation and Nativity Status on the Health Behaviors of Older Mexican Americans

Meredith Masel, University of Texas Medical Branch
Laura L. Rudkin-Miniot, University of Texas Medical Branch
M. Kristin Peek

Smoking, alcohol use and physical activity are at the center of public health discussion in the United States. However, there is very little information in these health behaviors in older minorities. In particular, research is lacking on health behaviors in older Mexican Americans and any potential effects of acculturation. Using data from the Hispanic EPESE (n=3050 at baseline) we seek to determine if more highly acculturated (more proficient in English, more contact with Anglo-Americans, and US born) older Mexican Americans are more likely to engage in the health behaviors of interest. Preliminary results indicate that those who currently smoke, drink, and/or engage in physical activity are more proficient in English and have more contact with Anglo-Americans than those who do not (p < .05). Next, we will examine the association in multivariate models using multinomial logistic regression.