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Published on: November 4, 2010
Asthma mortality in Puerto Rico: 1980-2007
Jose Antonio Bartolomei-Díaz1, Alejandro Amill-Rosario, Luz Claudio
1Puerto Rico Asthma Project, Puerto Rico Department of Health, San Juan, Puerto Rico. jbartolomei@salud.gov.pr
Summary
Asthma mortality rates in Puerto Rico were higher than in the U.S. Despite a decline after 1999, age and elementary education increased asthma death risk for Puerto Ricans.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic disease with disproportionately high prevalence and mortality in Puerto Ricans in the U.S.
- Understanding asthma mortality patterns in Puerto Rico is crucial for targeted public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine asthma mortality rates in Puerto Rico from 1980 to 2007.
- To assess sociodemographic variables associated with asthma mortality in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Puerto Rico Department of Health's Vital Statistics Office.
- Calculated crude mortality rates (CMRs) and used generalized linear models to estimate mortality risk ratios (RRs) for sociodemographic factors.
Main Results:
- Recorded 4232 asthma deaths between 1980-2007. Asthma mortality rates in Puerto Rico were 1.77-4.0 times higher than in the U.S.
- Rates declined post-1999 (mean 4.77 before, 3.01 after), potentially due to ICD-10 implementation and improved care.
- Higher mortality risk was associated with older age, being divorced/widowed, and having only elementary education.
Conclusions:
- Asthma mortality rates in Puerto Rico significantly exceeded U.S. rates, even after a post-1999 decline.
- Age and lower educational attainment (elementary school) were identified as significant risk factors for asthma mortality in Puerto Ricans.
- Findings highlight the need for continued asthma management and awareness programs in Puerto Rico.
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