Nativity and Cardiovascular Disease Screening Practices

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death among Mexican American adults living in the United States. Using data from a modified Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey and guided by the Anderson Model, this study examined the effect of nativity on CVD screening practices among 423 Mexican American adults living in Chicago. Dependent variables included having had a blood pressure and cholesterol screening and a routine check up in the past 2 years. Multivariate analyses were used to control for sociodemographic factors, while accounting for complex sampling design. Compared to those born in Mexico, US-born Mexican Americans had significantly greater odds of obtaining blood pressure (OR=5.61), and cholesterol screenings (OR=1.60) and having a routine checkup (OR=2.69) in the past 2 years. Health professionals with an agenda to increase screenings for CVD risk factors among Mexican Americans living in northern cities should understand the impact of nativity on screening practices.