Hurling Alone? How Social Capital Failed to Save the Irish From Cardiovascular Disease in the United States

We performed a historical review of cardiovascular risk profiles of Irish immigrants to the United States, 1850-1970, in regard to lifestyle, socio-economic circumstances, and social capital. We analyzed US Census data from 1850-1970, area-based social and epidemiological data from Boston, data from...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 2004-12, Vol.94 (12), p.2162-2169
Main Authors: Kelleher, C. Cecily, Lynch, John, Harper, Sam, Tay, Joseph B, Nolan, Geraldine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
20th century
Biological and medical sciences
Boston
Cardiology. Vascular system
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular Diseases - ethnology
Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology
Citizenship
Coronary heart disease
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnicity
Famine
Heart
Humans
Immigrants
Infant mortality
Interpersonal Relations
Ireland - ethnology
Lifestyles
Medical sciences
Minority & ethnic groups
Mortality
Noncitizens
Parents & parenting
Public health
Research and Practice
Residence Characteristics
Risk Factors
Social capital
Social Support
Socioeconomic Factors
Vital statistics
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Summary:We performed a historical review of cardiovascular risk profiles of Irish immigrants to the United States, 1850-1970, in regard to lifestyle, socio-economic circumstances, and social capital. We analyzed US Census data from 1850-1970, area-based social and epidemiological data from Boston, data from Ireland's National Nutrition Surveillance Centre, and literature on Irish migration. The Irish were consistently at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, a risk that related initially to material deprivation, across the life course of at least 2 generations. The principal difference between the Irish and other disadvantaged immigrant groups, such as the Italians, was dietary habits influenced by experiences during the Irish famine. Although there was a psychosocial component to the disadvantage and discrimination they experienced as an ethnic group, the Irish also exhibited strong community networks and support structures that might have been expected to counteract discrimination's negative effects. However, the Irish's high levels of social capital were not protective for cardiovascular disease.
ISSN:0090-0036
1541-0048
DOI:10.2105/AJPH.94.12.2162