Asian or Pacific Islander mortality, selected states, 1992

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Demography

Background:

• The Asian or Pacific Islander (API) population is diverse, with distinct demographic and health profiles.
• Previous mortality data often lacked granular detail for specific API subgroups.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present detailed mortality data for the Asian or Pacific Islander (API) population.
• To analyze variations in causes of death, death rates, and life expectancy across API subgroups.
• To provide a more nuanced understanding of API health disparities.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of mortality data from 1992 for the API population in seven selected states.
• Calculation of death rates, age-adjusted death rates, and life expectancies.
• Ranking of leading causes of death for various API subgroups.

Main Results:

• In 1992, there were 19,478 deaths within the API population studied.
• Heart disease and cancer were the leading causes of death across most API subgroups.
• Significant variations in leading causes of death by age were observed.
• Age-adjusted death rates were highest for Samoan and Hawaiian populations and lowest for Asian Indian, Korean, and Japanese populations.
• Life expectancy was lowest for Hawaiian and Samoan populations.

Conclusions:

• Mortality patterns and life expectancy differ substantially among API subgroups.
• Hawaiian and Samoan populations face a disproportionately higher burden of mortality.
• The findings highlight the need for subgroup-specific health strategies within the API population.