AGE OF MIGRATION AND THE HEALTH STATUS OF OLDER LATINOS: FINDINGS FROM THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY

Life course research emphasizes the importance of considering how early life experiences set individuals on specific trajectories over time with implications across multiple
health domains. Life experiences of older Latinos are shaped
by where they were born and, for the foreign-born, when
they immigrated to the United States. Prior research examining the extent to which age of migration is associated with
health has largely been limited to regional studies. To address this gap in knowledge, we use nationally representative data from the Health and Retirement Study to examine
associations between age of migration and multiple physical
health outcomes among older Latinos residing in the United
States. We examine 2010 prevalence and follow-up incidence
to 2016 of cardiovascular issues, diabetes, one or more activities of daily living (ADLs), one or more instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), cognitive issues, and mortality
incidence. Preliminary results indicate similar health profiles across Latinos who migrated in early life (<18), during
adulthood (18-34), and during later adulthood (35+). Most
health profiles were similar among Latino men and women
except for prevalence and incidence of experiencing difficulties with at least one ADL. Latino women who migrated in
later-adulthood have higher prevalence of ADLs and women
who migrated early in life (>18) have higher ADL incidence
than Latino men who migrated during the same life course
periods. A greater understanding of the how immigrant
experiences influence physical health outcomes offers important insights into the development of actionable and culturally appropriate social and health policies.