For three decades, researchers have pondered the Hispanic Mortality Paradox -- why Hispanics in the U.S. tend to outlive non-Hispanic whites by several years, despite having, in general, lower income and educational attainment levels that are associated with shorter lives. Research led by John Ruiz, professor of psychology, suggests Hispanics live longer due to illness survival and recovery advantages.

Researchers showed that Hispanic/Latino patients experienced lower in-hospital mortality and were hospitalized fewer days compared to non-Hispanics, a survival advantage consistent with the Hispanic paradox. The study was published in the Journal of Latina/o Psychology.