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Mortality by Hispanic status in the United States
P D Sorlie1, E Backlund, N J Johnson
1Epidemiology and Biometry Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
JAMA
|November 24, 1993
Summary
Hispanics exhibit lower all-cause mortality rates compared to non-Hispanics, with this protective effect becoming even more pronounced after accounting for family income differences. This finding is based on a large national cohort study.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociomedical Sciences
Background:
- Mortality disparities between ethnic groups are a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the impact of socioeconomic factors on these disparities is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations in the US.
- To investigate the influence of family income, place of birth, and residence on these mortality rates.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale cohort study utilizing national survey data (Current Population Surveys) linked to the National Death Index.
- Followed approximately 700,000 noninstitutionalized US adults (including 40,000 Hispanics) for 9 years (1979-1987).
- Analyzed all-cause and underlying cause-specific mortality data from death certificates.
Main Results:
- Hispanics demonstrated lower all-cause mortality rates compared to non-Hispanics, even after age adjustment (SRR 0.74 for men, 0.82 for women).
- Lower mortality was observed for cancer and cardiovascular disease among Hispanics, while diabetes and homicide mortality were higher.
- Adjusting for family income further reduced the relative mortality ratios for Hispanics.
Conclusions:
- A large national cohort study indicates lower overall mortality among Hispanic populations compared to non-Hispanic populations.
- Family income significantly influences mortality rates, with adjustments revealing an even lower mortality risk for Hispanics.