Life Course Research: A Review of Factors Contributing to Health of Immigrants in the UnitedStates

As the U.S. immigrant population increases, a thorough understanding of the socio economic interactions, inter -ethnic relationships, and the impacts of the host country on immigrants, is worthy of examination. Our study reviewedthe literature on factors, from both home and host countries, contributing to the health outcomes of immigrants. Using a conceptual model that builds on the growth of an individual from birth to childhood to adolescence and to adulthood, we highlight modi fiers from home and host country that ultimately impact healthcare outcomes as an immigrant moves across this spectrum. Themes explored under home country factors include biological influences, culture and language, and environmental influences such as fam ily, community, political and social factors. Themes identifiedwithinthe United States factors include social network, environmental influences (lifestyle and behaviors), access to healthcare and socio demographic influences.Using a life-course approach, we present a literature review of