Causes of death among elderly Jews in New York City, 1979-1981

Important differentials in mortality exist among ethnic and religious groups in the US but available statistics frequently preclude their examination. In the absence of mortality data for US Jews researchers have developed various alternatives, including using New York City's unique coding of death certificates according to religious affiliation of cemetery. Based on mortality rates for a sample of Medicare enrollees assumed to be representative of the Jewish population, in combination with New York City death record data, estimated death rates by sex and cause of death are developed for that city's elderly Jewish population. Comparisons made with rates for the white population of New York indicate low death rates for smoking-related diseases (lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases) among Jewish males. Other findings include above-average mortality from breast cancer among 65-74 year old Jewish women and from pancreatic cancer among Jewish women aged > or = 85. Below average mortality for both sexes is estimated for cerebrovascular disease and accidents, and for males from prostate cancer. The estimates produced are consistent with data from previous studies.