International migration and infant health in Mexico

Abstract

This paper examines the flip side of the epidemiological paradox, namely the relationship between international migration experience and positive infant health outcomes in Mexico. Building upon past research that has explored the role of economic remittances in contributing to the positive relationship between international migration and birth outcomes in sending country communities, the present analysis focuses on the noneconomic effects of paternal migration experience on infant health. The data come from a hospital-based postpartum survey (HPS 2001) recently completed in two high-migrant sending states of Western Mexico. The findings demonstrate that the positive effect of international migration on infant health occurs in the context of considerable loss of social support and high stress levels. Socioeconomic improvements facilitated by the receipt of remittances, coupled with positive health behaviors, are two factors that contribute to this protective effect.