Temporal Trends in Differentials in Cause-Specific Mortality for Hispanics and Non-Hispanics in the Southwestern United States, by Gender, 1990 and 2000

Lawrence Panas, University of Texas at Galveston
Karl Eschbach, University of Texas at Galveston

This research examines life expectancy and cause of mortality in a largely Hispanic Origin population in the Southwest US. Construction of the life tables for NH Whites, NH Blacks, and Hispanics are based on the methodology developed for the Hispanic Origin Life Table for the United States. Differentials in life expectancy are calculated using the Arriaga decomposition methodology. Life expectancy for Hispanics was higher than for their counterparts at both times, but the gap in life expectancy closed sharply between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites for both males and females from 1990 and 2000. Males showed the most marked improvement in life expectancy as a class from 1990 and 2000, with White males making the largest gains. The results of the decomposition indicate diabetes as a major contributor of mortality for Hispanics across time and smoking-related illnesses strongly affect most non-Hispanic groups in 1990 and 2000.