Disparities in hypertension-related mortality among selected Hispanic subgroups and non-Hispanic White women ages 45 years and older--United States, 1995-1996 and 2001-2002.
OBJECTIVE
To compare hypertension-related mortality (HRM) age-standardized and age-specific rates for Hispanic subgroup and non-Hispanic White (NHW) women; to identify underlying causes of HRM by Hispanic subgroup and age; and to examine relative percent change in HRM among Hispanic subgroups and NHW women.


METHODS
Secondary data analyses of 1995-1996 and 2001-2002 national vital statistics multiple cause mortality files.


METHODS
United States-50 states and District of Columbia.


METHODS
Mexican American (MA), Puerto Rican (PR), Cuban (CA) and NHW female decedents ages > or =45 years with hypertension listed as one of up to 20 conditions resulting in death.


METHODS
Age-standardized death rates (ASDR per 100,000) for HRM and relative percent change to examine trends (2-year intervals).


RESULTS
During 1995-1996, the ASDR (per 100,000) for HRM was highest among PR (248.5) followed by NHW (188.7), MA (185.4), and CA women (139.7). During 2001-2002, PR (215.5) and MA (205.5) had higher ASDR for HRM than NHW (171.9) and CA women (104.6). The relative percent increase from 1995-1996 to 2001-2002 was 10.8% (P < .01) among MA, while CA (-25.1%, P < .01), PR (-13.3%, P < .01) and non-Hispanic Whites (-8.5%, P < .01) showed a decrease.


CONCLUSIONS
HRM was highest among PR and MA women, increased significantly for MA women between 1995-1996 to 2001-2002, and declined for CA, PR and non-Hispanic White women. Public health efforts should focus on strengthening heart health protection communication and hypertension control programs for PR and MA women and their healthcare providers.
Zambrana
Ruth Enid
RE
Department of Women's Studies and Director, Consortium on Race, Gender, and Ethnicity, University of Maryland College Park, 2101 Woods Hall, College Park, MD 20742, USA. rzambran@umd.edu
Ayala
Carma
C
Pokras
Olivia Carter
OC
Minaya
Jasmin
J
Mensah
George A
GA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000401:mortality*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014798:Vital Statistics; D044465:White People