Mortality Differentials Among Asians and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHPI) in the U.S

Vital statistics provide opportunity to examine the health of diverse racial/ethnic groups within the U.S. Previous analysis using 1992 data demonstrated the importance of separating the Asian/Pacific Islander (API) category into component subgroups. Subgroup analysis found age-adjusted death rates ranging from 298.8 per 100,000 population for Japanese to 907.7 for Samoans. When examining smaller ethnic subgroups in the U.S., data from a single year can result in questions regarding the reliability of the estimates, as occurred in the 1992 analysis. Preliminary analysis of pooled mortality data from 2004, 2005, and 2006 from states collecting detailed race/ethnicity data found a significant difference between the age-adjusted death rates for Asians and NHPI. 

Age-Adjusted Death Rates per 100,000 by Race, Selected States 2004-2006
White	Black	AI/AN	Asian	NHPI
742.8	935.0	732.9	449.7	650.0

Age-specific death rates of Asians compared with NHPI show higher rates for NHPI at each age except for those 85 years and older.

This analysis of the death rates confirms the need to separate the Asian and NHPI groups when studying their health.  Since the number of the NHPI in the U.S. is relatively small compared to Asians, the substantially higher death rates for NHPI are not reflected in data when combined with Asian populations.

These preliminary results include only deaths where a single race is reported on the death certificate.  The present study extends and updates the analysis to include the mortality of people for whom multiple races are reported.  While multiple race was reported for only .5 percent of the population, significant differences exist by racial group with NHPI most likely to have been reported as multiracial, (49.2 percent).

This paper also discusses a national survey underway that will greatly expand the social and behavioral factors associated with health outcomes for the NHPI in the U.S.