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.

OBJECTIVES

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.

DESIGN

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

SETTING

United States-50 states and District of Columbia.

SUBJECTS

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.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

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.