Do health selection effects last? A comparison of morbidity rates for elderly adult immigrants and US-born elderly persons.

This paper uses the Assets and Health Dynamics of the Oldest Old (AHEAD) data set to examine the influence of nativity on the health status, measured by self-reported presence of chronic diseases, of the elderly US-resident population. In particular, age at time of migration is used to examine the potential lingering influence of self-selection for good health among immigrants who entered the USA as adults. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression models are presented. The results of these analyses show that the influence of positive selection for health varies depending on the disease studied. Self-selection for good health is maintained for cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung disease. This self-selection effect is seen after controlling for socioeconomic factors and health behaviors. While these latter factors are more influential, this study indicates that good health in a population at young ages is maintained throughout the lifespan.