1382-P: Pilot Study of the Healthy Immigrant Effect in Africans Living in America

Since the mid-20^th century, the Healthy Immigrant Effect (HIE) has been used to describe better cardiometabolic health in African immigrants than African Americans (AA). However, with heart disease and diabetes (DM) rapidly increasing in Africa, it is unknown whether African immigrants who entered the United States (US) in the 21st century have better cardiometabolic health than AA. Therefore, we undertook a pilot study of 17 African immigrants and 17 AA who were matched by sex, age, and BMI (Male: 35% (12/34), Age: 42±16, (mean±SD), range 20-67y, BMI: 30.2±5.8, range 20.2-41.9 kg/m²). Africans entered the US from 2000 to 2022 and were 18y or older at immigration. Biological Age was determined by the Phenotypic Age equation. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) was used to estimate the 10y risk of a cardiac event. To detect DM, OGTT were performed. Biological Age tended to be lower in African immigrants than AA (38±16 vs 41±16y, P=0.06). Yet, there was no difference by group in FRS (4.4±5.5 vs 4.5±5.2, P=0.95) or DM prevalence (12% (2/17) vs 12% (2/17), P=0.99). African immigrants had a lower rate of health insurance coverage (59% (10/17) vs 88% (15/17), P=0.05) and a higher rate of low income (<45k)(47% (8/17) vs 29% (5/17), P=0.29) than AA. Yet, African immigrants had better diet, activity, sleep, smoking and alcohol habits than AA (Table). Overall, based on lower Biological Age, the HIE may be valid in the 21st century and explained by health behaviors.

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