Socio-Cultural Factors in Diet, Nutrition, and Health: Comparing African Immigrant and African American Families in Atlanta

Immigrants to the United States arrive much healthier than their native-born peers. The longer immigrants stay in the United States, however, the more likely their health outcomes are to worsen and align with the native-born. This pattern is referred to as the Immigrant Health Paradox. With an award from the Foundation, sociologists Ida Rousseau Mukenge, Tshilemalema Mukenge, and Obie Clayton will investigate whether the same paradox holds true for African immigrants. The researchers have completed ethnographic observations of family life, dietary attitudes, health services usage, and attitudes among both African immigrants and native-born African American families living in Atlanta. In addition to the ethnographic component of their study, the investigators will perform a quantitative analysis of the National Health Interview Survey of 2005, which contains a population of 14,153 native-born and immigrant blacks. This analysis will address the relationship between assimilation and health status.