American Indian midlife mortality is increasing in Oklahoma: a 1999-2016 time-series study

摘要

Background: A recent United States (U.S.) study of surveillance data found that medical-cause mortality in 45-54-year-old non-Hispanic whites (NHW45-54) increased from 1999 to 2013. However, researchers did not closely examine data restricted to minority and gender cohorts, or geographic region. The examination of restricted mortality data in the United States is essential if we are to understand why mortality rates are increasing in the United States. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that medical-cause mortality in the Oklahoma American Indian/Alaska Native 45-54-year old (AI/ AN45-54) population is increasing. Methods: Oklahoma AI/AN45-54 annual, medical-cause mortality data were collected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER (Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) Detailed Mortality database, restricted by gender and racial populations (1999-2016). Time series graphs were produced. Results: Oklahoma AI/AN45-54 medical-cause mortality rates (1999-2016) are increasing in both females and males. Weak correlation, with simultaneous period effects, was found when male AI/AN45-54 and NHW45-54 populations were compared (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.422; P = 0.092). Conclusions: In Oklahoma, AI/AN45-54 medical-cause mortality rates are increasing. Simultaneous mortality rate period effects between the male AI/AN45-54 and NHW45-54 populations indicate either non-random fluctuations and common risk factor(s) or frequent misclassification by race.