The Education Gradient in Self-Rated Health for Chinese Immigrants in the United States

Ying-Ting Wang, University of Texas at Austin

Previous studies found that immigrants in the United States have a weaker education gradient in health, and suggested three explanations: 1) positive health selection among immigrants, 2) negative assimilation and 3) immigrants “import” a weak education gradient in health that exists in sending countries. Using data from the 2006-2009 National Health Interview Survey and the 2006 China Health and Nutrition Survey, this study investigates education gradient in self-rated health for Chinese immigrants and focuses on the “importation” hypothesis. The results of logistic regression analyses do not support the importation hypothesis: the education gradient in self-rated health is four times greater for Chinese immigrants in the United States than is the gradient for those in China. The results do not show evidence of negative health assimilation, but do indicate that positive health- and education-selection may account for the weak education gradient for Chinese immigrants in the United States.