Mortality rates among 15- to 44-year-old women in Boston: looking beyond reproductive status

Mortality rates were examined for Boston women, aged 15 to 44, from 1980 to 1989. There were 1234 deaths, with a rate of 787.8/100,000 for the decade. Leading causes were cancer, accidents, heart disease, homicide, suicide, and chronic liver disease. After age adjustment, African-American women in this age group were 2.3 times more likely to die than White women. Deaths at least partly attributable to smoking and alcohol amounted to 29.8% and 31.9%, respectively. Mortality was found to be related more directly to the general well-being of young women than to their reproductive status, and many deaths were preventable. African-American/White disparities were most likely linked to social factors. These findings suggest that health needs of reproductive-age women transcend reproductive health and require comprehensive interventions.