OBJECTIVES: International migration has steadily increased in Chile, following an intraregional pattern. It has been described a healthy migrant effect (HME) hypothesis in which migrants have on average better health outcomes. However, diverse exposures during migration process might have potential health impacts. National evidence on HME remains inconclusive and needs to be updated. The objective is to analyze the existence of healthy migrant effect in chronic diseases and its association with social determinants of health.

METHODS: Secondary analysis of the CASEN 2017 survey. The crude prevalence of chronic diseases in the local population and international migrants was estimated. Multivariate logistic analyzes adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, health system access, and psychosocial social determinants of health were performed. The healthy migrant effect was analyzed by sequentially adjusting each set of social determinants of health (reference= Chileans).

RESULTS: International migrants had a lower prevalence of chronic diseases. This health outcome was associated with age, affiliation to the health system, social support and social capital. Migrants from Argentina were at higher risk of chronic diseases (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 0.59–3.42). The adjusted analysis confirmed the HME suggested in the crude analysis. International migrants had 39% lower odds of chronic diseases (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.44–0.84; P = 0.0003) vs local population.

CONCLUSIONS: The health advantage remained significant after the adjusted analysis by social determinants of health, this could be explained by healthier habits among migrants and the potential reduction of risk factors for chronic diseases. Along with the advanced epidemiological transition observed in Chile which contrast with the migrant’s countries of origin. Further research should explore risk factors and impact of exposures during migration process on health disparities. Findings from the social determinants of health approach are relevant for health planning and proper response to chronic diseases.