Hurling alone? How social capital failed to save the Irish from cardiovascular disease in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Kelleher
C Cecily
CC
National Nutrition Surveillance Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland. cecily.kelleher@ucd.ie
Lynch
John
J
Harper
Sam
S
Tay
Joseph B
JB
Nolan
Geraldine
G
D001900:Boston; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007494:Ireland / Q000208:ethnology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors