Intergenerational socioeconomic mobility and adulthood all-cause mortality in the Hispanic community health study/study of Latinos

Socioeconomic mobility, the transition of an individual across different levels of socioeconomic position (SEP), may aid in understanding overall mortality trends in Hispanic/Latino adults by identifying subgroups with varying mortality experiences. We investigated whether intergenerational socioeconomic mobility was associated with all-cause mortality among US Hispanic/Latino adults aged 25-74 in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (n = 12 095). Childhood SEP was measured as parental education, and adulthood SEP was measured using a 5-indicator index (income, homeownership, employment, occupation, education); both indicators were combined into a 4-group socioeconomic mobility measure: enduring adversity, downward mobility, upward mobility, and enduring advantage. Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for potential confounders. Downward mobility (HR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.19-2.55) and enduring adversity (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.06-1.96) were significantly associated with an increased hazard of mortality compared to enduring advantage; the association was stronger among those born in the US. Adjustment for adulthood SEP confounders attenuated the association to non-significance. Socioeconomic mobility, particularly downward mobility, was associated with all-cause mortality in US Hispanic/Latino adults and may be partially explained by adulthood clinical and behavioral factors. Interventions should target structural barriers to socioeconomic advancement for Hispanic/Latino adults to improve health. This article is part of a Special Collection on Latino Health.