Reducing mortality in adolescents and young adults in Wisconsin: are we making progress?

OBJECTIVE

Has there been progress in the reduction of adolescent and young adult mortality in Wisconsin over the last 20 years? This paper addresses this question by examining the mortality trends--and disparities by race and gender--of adolescents and young adults in Wisconsin, ages 15-24.

METHODS

Mortality data for blacks and whites from 1980-1999 for Wisconsin and the United States were accessed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web-based database system CDC WONDER. Mean death rates were calculated for the 5-year spans 1980-1984 and 1995-1999. A Poisson model for rates was used to summarize the death rates and perform predictions.

RESULTS

Wisconsin and the United States have reduced mortality in the age group 15-24 by about 17% and 16%, respectively, between 1980-1984 and 1995-1999. In spite of this overall progress, significant disparities still exist between white and black older adolescents and young adults. When compared to 1980-1984, Wisconsin mortality rates for 1995-1999 were 24% lower among whites, but 73% higher among blacks. Disparities still exist when rates are analyzed by the leading causes of deaths. Deaths due to motor vehicle injuries have decreased for whites by about 31% compared to an increase of 19% for blacks.

CONCLUSIONS

Wisconsin has made progress in reducing death rates in adolescents and young adults, especially in fatal motor vehicle injuries. However, significant disparities still exist between whites and blacks, males and females, and leading causes of deaths. Wisconsin should work to reduce the mortality rate in adolescents and young adults and to eliminate disparities by 2010.