Foreign-Born Latinos Healthier, Live Longer Than U.S.-Born, New Jersey Study Says

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Foreign-born Latinos in New Jersey are healthier, have fewer vices and live longer than Hispanics born in the U.S., mirroring a national trend, according to a new report, Fox News Latino reports.

According to the news report:

The report, released by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, found that foreign-born residents of New Jersey are primarily healthier than native-born residents, and also have healthier lifestyles.

About 20 percent of New Jersey residents are foreign immigrants, and, of those 20 percent, approximately 36 percent are Hispanic, the report says.

The large proportion of foreign-born Latino residents were found to have lower mortality rates than U.S.-born Hispanics for most leading causes of death including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic respiratory disease and pneumonia.

“This pattern reflects both selective in-migration, since the foreign-born who now live in the U.S. are thought to be healthier on average than those who do not move here, and also potentially selective out-migration, as the foreign-born who develop health problems may return to their country of origin for care and support,” the report stated.

The study also found that foreign-born Latinos had more favorable health behaviors than U.S.-born Hispanics, including lower prevalence of obesity, smoking, binge drinking, and drug use.