The Effects of Minority and Immigration Status on Elderly Health: A Community Social Capital Perspective

Abstract

Health disparity across ethnic and immigrant groups are well recognized. However, there is a lack of systematic understanding about health disparity among older adults particularly given the growing number and size of minority and/or immigrant elders in the United States. The chapter relies on published studies, relevant monographs, government reports and Census data; it explores possible ways in which minority and immigration status jointly or independently affects elderly health. The chapter then introduces the community social capital as a theoretical framework to understand elderly health disparity. In essence, it argues the magnitude of structural racism in the life of minority and immigrant older adults; and it discusses the role that community social capital might play to moderate the negative effects of social-economic disparity, community segregation, social discrimination, and other factors contributable to health outcomes.