Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

High-Throughput Behavioral Aging and Lifespan Assays Using the Lifespan Machine
Published on: January 26, 2024
Testing healthy immigrant effects among late life immigrants in the United States: using multiple indicators
1University of Tennessee at Knoxville, TN, USA. schoi12@utk.edu
Objective:
This study tested a healthy immigrant effect (HIE) and postimmigration health status changes among late life immigrants.
Methods:
Using three waves of the Second Longitudinal Study of Aging (1994-2000) and the linked mortality file through 2006, this study compared (a) chronic health conditions, (b) longitudinal trajectories of self-rated health, (c) longitudinal trajectories of functional impairments, and (d) mortality between three groups (age 70+): (i) late life immigrants with less than 15 years in the United States (n = 133), (ii) longer term immigrants (n = 672), and (iii) U.S.-born individuals (n = 8,642). Logistic and Poisson regression, hierarchical generalized linear modeling, and survival analyses were conducted.
Results:
Late life immigrants were less likely to suffer from cancer, had lower numbers of chronic conditions at baseline, and displayed lower hazards of mortality during the 12-year follow-up. However, their self-rated health and functional status were worse than those of their counterparts over time.
Conclusion:
A HIE was only partially supported among older adults.
Related Concept Videos
Longitudinal Research
Longitudinal Studies
Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Regression Toward the Mean
