• Lauren A Doamekpor and Gniesha Y Dinwiddie.
• Lauren A. Doamekpor is with the Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, College Park. Gniesha Y. Dinwiddie is with the African American Studies Department, University of Maryland, College Park.
• Am J Public Health. 2015 Mar 1; 105 (3): 591-7.

ObjectivesWe tested whether the immigrant health advantage applies to non-Hispanic Black immigrants and examined whether nativity-based differences in allostatic load exist among non-Hispanic Blacks.MethodsWe used pooled data from the 2001-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare allostatic load scores for US-born (n = 2745) and foreign-born (n = 152) Black adults. We used multivariate logistic regression techniques to assess the association between nativity and high allostatic load scores, controlling for gender, age, health behaviors, and socioeconomic status.ResultsFor foreign-born Blacks, length of stay and age were powerful predictors of allostatic load scores. For older US-born Blacks and those who were widowed, divorced, or separated, the risk of high allostatic load was greater.ConclusionsForeign-born Blacks have a health advantage in allostatic load. Further research is needed that underscores a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving this health differential to create programs that target these populations differently.

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