Citation

J. Am. Med. Assoc. JAMA 2004; 292(19): 2330-2331.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/jama.292.19.2330

PMID

15547151

Abstract

For certain health conditions, Hispanics bear a disproportionate burden of disease, injury, death, and disability when compared with non-Hispanic whites, the largest racial/ethnic population in the United States. The leading causes of death among Hispanics vary from those for non-Hispanic whites.

In 2001, Hispanics of all races experienced more age-adjusted years of potential life lost before age 75 years per 100,000 population than non-Hispanic whites for the following causes of death: stroke (18% more), chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (62%), diabetes (41%), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease (168%), and homicide (128%); in 2000, Hispanics had higher age-adjusted incidence for cancers of the cervix (152% higher) and stomach (63% higher for males and 150% higher for females). During 1999-2000, Mexican Americans aged 20-74 years reported higher rates of overweight (11% higher for males and 26% higher for females) and obesity (7% higher for males and 32% higher for females) than non-Hispanic whites; Mexican-American youths aged 12-19 years also reported higher rates of overweight (112% higher for males and 59% higher for females).