Ana F. Abraído-Lanza ^1*, Adria N. Armbrister ¹, Karen R. Flórez ¹, Alejandra N. Aguirre ¹

¹ Columbia University

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: afl7{at}columbia.edu.

	Abstract

Interest in studying the impact of acculturation on health has increased in tandem with the growth of the Latino population in the United States. Linear assimilation models continue to dominate public health research despite the availability of more complex acculturation theories proposing multidimensional frameworks, reciprocal interactions between the individual and the environment, and other acculturative process among various Latino groups.

The rare use of multidimensional acculturation models in conjunction with current measures of acculturation (e.g., nativity, length of stay in the United States, and language use) has inhibited a more comprehensive understanding of the association between specific components of acculturation with particular health outcomes. A public health perspective on acculturation that incorporates the role of structural and cultural forces may help to better explain mechanisms underlying acculturation and health among Latinos.

Key Words: Hispanics/Latinos, Social Science

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