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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

The health of Arab-Americans living in the United States: a systematic review of the literature

Authors: Abdulrahman M El-Sayed, Sandro Galea

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

Despite substantial attention paid to Arab-Americans (AAs) in the media and in public discourse, there is limited research about the health of AAs in the United States (US) in the public health literature. This review aims to synthesize the extant peer-reviewed literature concerned with the health of AAs living in the US.

Methods

We summarize existing research on the prevalence, relative burden compared to other ethnic and racial groups, and determinants of diseases within each morbidity cluster among AAs living in the US.

Results

Available evidence suggests that the health of AAs may differ from that of other ethnic and racial groups in the US, and that exposures specific to this ethnic group, such as immigration, acculturation, and discrimination may be important in the etiology of several diseases among AAs.

Conclusion

Given the growth of this ethnic group and its marginalization in the current sociopolitical climate, more research about the health of AAs in the US seems warranted. We summarize relevant methodological concerns and suggest avenues for future research.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The health of Arab-Americans living in the United States: a systematic review of the literature
Authors
Abdulrahman M El-Sayed
Sandro Galea
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-9-272

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