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Nativity and Cardiovascular Dysregulation: Evidence from the 2001–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

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Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To examine nativity-based differences in 3 cardiovascular biomarkers commonly used to assess cardiovascular dysregulation.

Methods

Data was pooled from the 2001–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare biomarker risk scores for the US-born (n = 4693) and foreign-born (n = 2968) Black adults. We used multivariable-adjusted logistic regression to assess the association between nativity and cardiovascular biomarkers, controlling for gender, age, health behaviors, and socioeconomic status.

Results

In the full model, a foreign-born health advantage was not observed in all 3 cardiovascular biomarkers. In fact, foreign-born Blacks were almost twice as likely to have high mean diastolic blood pressure compared with the US-born individuals (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.15, 2.88) and had an increased risk of high 60-s pulse. Foreign-born individuals living in the USA for less than 5 years were 62% less likely to have high mean systolic blood pressure than individuals living in the USA for 20 years or more.

Conclusions

The foreign-born health advantage among Blacks was not observed in the cardiovascular biomarkers under study, suggesting that the commonly cited Healthy Immigrant Effect may need to be reassessed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guidehouse LLP, Washington, DC, 20006, USA

    Lauren A. Doamekpor

  2. Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Jessica L. Gleason

  3. Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA

    Ijeoma Opara

  4. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Ndidiamaka N. Amutah-Onukagha

Authors
  1. Lauren A. Doamekpor
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  2. Jessica L. Gleason
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  3. Ijeoma Opara
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  4. Ndidiamaka N. Amutah-Onukagha
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Correspondence to Lauren A. Doamekpor.

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Doamekpor, L.A., Gleason, J.L., Opara, I. et al. Nativity and Cardiovascular Dysregulation: Evidence from the 2001–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 8, 136–146 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-020-00765-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-020-00765-z

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