Studies have shown that cultural changes can positively or negatively affect psychological, behavioral, and physical outcomes when different cultures come into continuous contact (Amer, 2007; Berry, 2992; Leopoldo, 2003). Most of the changes occur in the non-dominant group (migrants) due to the settlement in the dominant sub-group society (Berry, 1992). The majority of research done in the United States and North America has focused on these changes for larger immigrant and minority groups such as Hispanics/Latinos and Asians (Amer, 2007; Gerber, 2011). However, in the United States, there is sub-group that is largely understudied, resulting in misunderstood data in mental and physical health: Arab Americans (Abuelezam, 2018; Amer, 2007) In fact, in the U.S. census, Arab American’s in the U.S. are categorized as “Caucasians or Whites”. This discrepancy leads to an oversight of a minority sub-group’s health problems and omits them from receiving proper social services and healthcare (Amer, 2007; Bertran, 2017). Using an online survey instrument, this study assessed mental health disparities and behavioral habits before, and since COVID-19 restrictions, and physical health disparities for 3xx residents in Dearborn, MI. Through inferential statistics and logistic regressions, results indicate that Middle Easterners experience higher mental health problems, are less likely to have healthcare coverage, have lower annual incomes, and lower educational attainment than non-Middle Easterners.
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