Diabetes Mortality Among New Mexico's American Indian, Hispanic, and Non-Hispanic White Populations, 1958–1987

Abstract

OBJECTIVE— To determine the diabetes-related mortality rates among New Mexico's American Indians, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites over a 30-yr period. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Death certificates were used to identify diabetes as an underlying cause of death by ethnic group in New Mexico during each 5-yr period from 1958 through 1987. The age-adjusted rates were calculated by ethnic group and sex, and temporal trends were examined. Comparison was made to U.S. white age-adjusted rates during the same time period. RESULTS— Age-adjusted diabetes mortality rates for American Indians and Hispanics increased throughout the 30-yr period, and far exceeded rates for New Mexico non-Hispanic whites and U.S. whites by the 1983–1987 time period. The rates increased most dramatically among the state's American Indians, increasing 550% among women and 249% among men. Hispanic women and men experienced increases of 112 and 140%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS–New Mexico's American Indian and Hispanic populations have higher diabetes mortality rates than non-Hispanic whites, and American Indian mortality rates have risen dramatically over the 30-yr period included in our study. Although the high prevalence of diabetes in American Indians and Hispanics is a major contributor to these rates, other factors may also influence the reported mortality rates.