Being 'half-included' in American society takes a toll on immigrant health, study finds

Article excerpt

A study explores the immigrant health paradox, newcomers arrive healthier than native-born Americans but lose that advantage as they age. Rather than blaming acculturation itself, researchers point to a more specific culprit: the experience of being "half-included" in American society. Immigrants who navigate discrimination, economic instability, and social exclusion while simultaneously adopting American behaviors face unique stress that erodes their initial health benefits over time. The findings suggest the problem isn't cultural adaptation per se, but the unequal conditions under which that adaptation occurs.