III.  LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH                                 

The leading cause of death among women varies by ethnic group.  Generally in the U.S. cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two leading causes of mortality (death rate) among all women.  Depending upon the minority group, however the health problems vary according to specific group.  The following information emphasizes the disparities among the differing groups.

1)       African American women. The four leading causes of death among African American women are, in order of prevalence, heart disease; all malignant neoplasms (cancer) combined; cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke; and diabetes. These women have higher mortality rates from a number of diseases than do Caucasian women, including heart disease, stroke, and most cancers.

2) Hispanic women. The four leading causes of death among Hispanic women are the same as for African American women: heart disease, all cancers combined, cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetes. Among Hispanic women, mortality rates from several diseases are lower than those of Caucasian women, including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancers of the respiratory system and breasts. Mortality rates from AIDS and homicide, however, are significantly higher for Hispanic women than Caucasian women.

Among Hispanic and African American women the leading causes of death are identical, therefore we have placed both groups in the same chart.

Figure 1

3) American Indian/Alaska Native women. The four leading causes of death among American Indian/Alaskan Native women are, in order of prevalence, heart disease, all cancers combined, unintentional injuries, and diabetes. These women have lower death rates from most major diseases than do Caucasian women, including cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. However, their mortality rates from motor vehicle-related injuries, diabetes, chronic liver disease (cirrhosis), and homicide are higher than those for Caucasian women.

 

Figure 2

4)       Asian American/Pacific Islander women.The four leading causes of death for Asian American/Pacific Islander women are, in order of prevalence, all cancers combined, heart disease, stroke, and unintentional injuries. These women have lower death rates from most major diseases than do Caucasian women, including heart disease, stroke, and AIDS. However, heart disease and stroke combined account for more than one-third (36%) of deaths. Their mortality rate from breast cancer and all cancers combined was the lowest of all population groups in 1997.

Figure 3

5)       Caucasian Women.  The four leading causes of death among Caucasian women are as follows: heart disease, all cancers combined, cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD).  This is depicted in the following organization chart.

Figure 4