Abstract EP20: Immigrant-related Factors And Prediabetes Prevalence Among Latinos In The Us

Abstract

Background: Latinos have a nearly two-fold increased risk of diabetes and diabetes-specific mortality compared to non-Latino whites. Until recently, foreign-born individuals have shown a lower prevalence of diabetes. However, limited research has examined the social and demographic factors contributing to prediabetes among Latinos. Directing prevention efforts towards those classified at the prediabetes stage presents a critical window of opportunity to prevent the transition to diabetes and subsequent morbidity and mortality. We characterized prediabetes prevalence across social, demographic, and immigrant factors in a nationally representative sample of Latino adults living in the United States (US). Hypothesis: Foreign-born Latinos will have a higher prevalence of prediabetes than US-born for select characteristics. Methods: Our study population included Latino adults 20+ years of age sampled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013-2018 (n=4,060). We examined prediabetes prevalence measured via A1C levels of 5.7-6.4 by age, sex at birth, nativity, occupational status, and poverty threshold accounting for the complex sampling design of NHANES. We also tested if nativity modified these social and demographic risk factors. Results: A total of 8,237,647 million Latinos met the criteria for prediabetes, resulting in an estimated prevalence of 27.9%. We found an increasing trend for prediabetes for greater time residing in the US (22%, 26%, and 40% for <10 years, 10-19 years, and >20 years, respectively). Moreover, across most social and demographic characteristics, foreign-born Latinos had a higher prevalence of prediabetes than US-born Latinos. Conclusion: Our findings suggest clear patterns of increased prediabetes prevalence among foreign-born Latinos relative to their US-born counterparts. Future diabetes prevention efforts are needed to address the higher prediabetes burden among the foreign-born and design tailored interventions for this group that address structural as well as cultural factors patterning these disparities.