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 19951996 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 45 years with hypertension listed as one of up to 20 conditions resulting in death. Main Outcome Main Outcomes Measures: Age-standardized death rates (ASDR per 100,000) for HRM and relative percent change to examine trends (2year 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 <.011) 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.