Trends in rates for mortality from all causes among Indians in Minnesota, 1960-79

Trends in age- and sex-specific mortality rates for all causes of death for Indians in Minnesota during the years 1960-79 were examined using the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square extension test. Indians younger than 15 years of age were not included in the analysis because of the changes in classification for Indian race in census reports for Indian children and adolescents, known decreases in Indian infant mortality, and the small number of deaths among Indian children and adolescents during the years 1960-79. Declines in mortality rates were observed for Indian men and women 75 years of age and older, men 65 through 74 years of age, and women 25 through 54 years of age. Overall, only 8 percent of men and 53 percent of women were in age groups that showed declining mortality rates for all causes of death during the years 1960-79. The greatest decline in mortality rates for men and women occurred among those 75 years of age and older. Mortality rates for Indians in Minnesota declined during the study period for fewer than half of the age groups. Such strategies as risk factor surveillance, public health programs, and medical interventions need to be directed toward these groups that have not experienced the same declines in mortality rates as nearly all age groups of whites, both nationwide and in Minnesota, during the same period.