Sociological research has shed important light on the complex association between migration and health. First, research has shown that when a broad range of health outcomes are considered, a complex pattern emerges. For example, although Hispanics have comparable levels of infant mortality to whites, women of all Hispanic groups have a higher risk of low birth weight and prematurity than whites (Frisbie, Forbes, and Hummer 1998). Similarly, in the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), virtually all immigrants reported better physical health status, such as chronic physical conditions than the native born (Williams and Mohammed 2008). In contrast, for psychological distress, many immigrant groups (most Latino groups, Pacific Islanders and Koreans) reported worse health than the native born, while other immigrants groups (blacks, Puerto Ricans and Filipinos) had better health and still others (Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese) did not differ from their native born counterparts.
