A mortality analysis of native Americans in New York state, 1980-86

Mahoney M C (New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, Albany, New York 12237, USA), Elliott M A and Michalek A M. A mortality analysis of Native Americans in New York State, 1980-86. International Journal of Epidemiology 1989, 18: 403-412.This investigation examined the mortality experience of Native Americans in New York State, exclusive of New York City, between 1980 and 1986. Compared to the general population of New York State, exclusive of New York City, deaths among Native Americans occurred an average of nine years earlier. Among Native males, elevated risk of death was noted for tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, pneumonia and cirrhosis. Native females demonstrated an excess of deaths due to diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis. Fewer than expected malignant neoplasm deaths occurred among both Native males and females. A deficit of deaths was observed for colon and lung cancer deaths among Native males and for colon and breast cancer deaths among Native females. While these results are generally in agreement with previous reports, this study did not identify an excess of deaths due to accident-related mortality. Findings from this study, while limited, do serve as crude indicators of the overall health status of Native Americans in New York State and may prove useful in the context of planning and evaluating future health care services among this population.