Death as a sentinel event: the mortality experience of Puerto Ricans in the United States

The mortality data for 1996 and 1997 reveal that Puerto Ricans in the United States lag behind other Hispanics in terms of age-adjusted death rates. The better health status of Cubans in the United States can be explained by their immigration history and more favorable socio-economic conditions. The greater mortality risks of mainland Puerto Ricans compared to Mexican-Americans is more difficult to explain. While Puerto Ricans have more entitlements, higher incomes, and more education than their Mexican counterparts, the Mexicans have higher levels of employment and more stable families, indicators which apparently affect the relative risk of death. The data also show that, of all the Hispanic subgroups, the Puerto Ricans exhibit the most marked gender differentials, mainland Puerto Rican men being significantly more at risk than females. Finally, the data on infant mortality show that babies born to Puerto Rican women are less likely to survive their first year of life than infants born to women of other Hispanic origins. Each of these indicators suggests the greater vulnerability of mainland Puerto Ricans and confirms the disadvantaged status of this population vis-a-vis other groups.