Country of birth differences in lifestyle‐related chronic disease among middle‐aged and older adults of Lebanese ethnicity

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To examine country of birth differences in the odds of reporting chronic diseases among those of Lebanese ethnicity in comparison to those of Australian ethnicity. Methods: Participants were 41,940 Australians aged 45 years and older, sampled from the 45 and Up Study baseline dataset. Participants included those of Lebanese ethnicity born in Lebanon (n=401), Australia (n=331) and other countries (n=73); and those of Australian ethnicity (n=41,135). Logistic regression models were conducted to examine differences in the odds of reporting chronic disease between those of Lebanese ethnicity and those of Australian ethnicity. Results: Those of Lebanese ethnicity had higher odds of reporting diabetes (OR 1.62; 95%CI 1.32–2.00) and lower odds of reporting hypertension (OR 0.82; 95%CI 0.70–0.96) when compared with those of Australian ethnicity. After country of birth stratification, only those born in Lebanon had higher odds of reporting diabetes (OR 2.21; 95%CI 1.71–2.85) and also had lower odds of reporting cancer (OR 0.66; 95%CI 0.46–0.97), when compared with those of Australian ethnicity. Conclusions: Country of birth differences in health exist among those of Lebanese ethnicity. Implications for public health: Country of birth is an important factor that could assist in explaining differences in health among ethnic groups of the same origin.

Keywords

• culturally and linguistically diverse
• chronic disease
• migrants
• Lebanese