Abstract P392: Association Between Migration to the US, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Mexican Migrants and Non-Migrants

Abstract

Background: Mexico-US migration represents one of the largest migration flows across the globe. However, debates abound over whether health selection is a salient driver of migration, and furthermore how migration shapes the health of Mexican migrants. Objectives: To address these gaps in the literature, we used binational data from Mexico to compare cardiovascular risk factors and health profiles of (1) Mexico-US nonmigrants and future migrants and (2) Mexico-US nonmigrants and return migrants. Methods: Data from the Mexican Family Life Survey, a nationally-representative survey with measures of migration and health, was used for the analysis. We estimated a series of mixed effects logistic regression models to assess the association between (1) cardiovascular health at baseline and future migration status and (2) exposure to the US (migration to the US and time in the US) and cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular health indicators included obesity, wasit-hip-circumference (WHC), high blood pressure, self-reported diabetes, self-reported cardiovascular disease, and smoking and physical activity behaviors. Results: Cardiovascular health was not a significant predictor of future migration to the US; that is, the health of Mexico-US migrants’ was on par with their compatriots who do not migrate. However for some cardiovascular indicators, the health of return migrants with exposure to the US was worse than non-migrants. Return migrants had higher levels of adiposity, obesity (OR=1.38, 95% CI 1.05,1.80), and elevated WHC (OR=1.45, 95% CI 1.07,1.95). Furthermore, time spent in the US was significantly associated with obesity (OR=1.005, 95% CI 1.001,1.009), elevated waist circumference (OR=1.003, 95% CI 1.001,1.007), and self-reported cardiovascular disease (OR=1.005, 95% CI 1.002,1.009). Finally, the association between exposure to the US and poorer cardiovascular health was not mediated by physical activity or smoking behavior. Conclusions: Our findings shed light on the drivers of Mexican immigrants’ health, and underscore the important of considering the social and environmental context faced by migrants in the US as an important determinant of cardiovascular health.