Understanding Residential Mobility within Ethnic Enclaves: An Exploratory Study of Latina Breast Cancer Patients in New Jersey prior diagnosis

Keywords: residential histories, breast cancer, ethnic enclave, residential mobility, Hispanic
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Research has shown that breast cancer survival disparities are influenced not only by individual demographic factors but also by neighborhood characteristics, such as socioeconomic status and population density. For chronic diseases like breast cancer, which have long latency periods, it is essential to consider individuals’ longitudinal neighborhood exposures and mobility prior to its diagnosis, rather than focusing solely on their residential address at diagnosis. Only a few studies to date have examined minority residential mobility, long-term neighborhood exposures, and their impact on cancer outcomes. Much of the research on mobility and health has focused broadly on residential patterns by racial categories or used cross-sectional approaches to assess health impacts. Building on the ethnic density perspective—which suggests that ethnic enclaves, or neighborhoods with a higher concentration of individuals of the same ethnic origin, offer protective effects on health—this study aims to understand Hispanic patients’ relocation history within these enclaves prior to diagnosis. It will focus on examining neighborhood exposure to poverty and its effect on breast cancer staging. To achieve this, the study will incorporate residential histories to examine the mobility patterns of Hispanic minorities in New Jersey prior to their first breast cancer diagnosis. It will specifically assess the number of residences and changes in residential enclave neighborhoods among breast cancer cases, exploring the association with stage at diagnosis. By analyzing these mobility trends, the study aims to provide valuable insights into demographic shifts within ethnic enclaves and their impact on breast cancer health over time.