The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46586

Christopher J. Mansfield, PhD, Denise Kirk, MS, and James L. Wilson, PhD. Center for Health Services Research and Development, East Carolina University, Building "N", Physicians Quadrangle, Greenville, NC 27858, 252-816-2785, mansfieldc@mail.ecu.edu

Background. How are the states doing in regard to achievement of the twin HP2010 goals, eliminating disparities and increasing life span? We use the premature mortality rate, which captures dimensions of both goals, to describe trends across the states and the District of Columbia (DC) over 30 years and project forward to predict in which states disparity in premature death might be eliminated by 2010. Method. Calculate age-adjusted premature mortality rate, measured as years of life lost before age 75 per 10,000 population under age 75 (yll-75) by state and race, plot linear trends with projections, calculate percentage changes (1968 to1998), map results. Results. Premature mortality was lowest in 1998 in Minnesota (589 yll-75) and highest in DC (1,479). From 1968, it declined in all states, ranging from a decrease of 54% in Wyoming to 11% in DC. Whites in Wyoming, Alaska, and DC had the greatest reduction in premature mortality (54%); Oklahoma and Arkansas had the least (32% decline). For non-whites, Idaho and Maine had the greatest improvement (76% and 75%, respectively); Arkansas, the least (35%). The non-white rate in DC increased by 6%. Rates for non-whites and whites are converging in 39 states; diverging in 11 and DC. In Vermont and New Hampshire, racial disparity is reversed. Non-white/white disparity in premature mortality has been eliminated in California. Linear projection suggests this disparity may be eliminated in 8 other states by 2010. Conclusions: Elimination or reversal of racial disparity in premature mortality is possible in many states.

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives

• Understand how health disparity may be measured by the premature mortality rate.
• Describe trends in disparity in premature mortality across the states.
• Identify states in which the non-white and white rates are best, worst, converging, and diverging.
• Predict in which states elimination of racial disparity in early death is likely to be eliminated.

Keywords: Public Health Policy, Healthy People 2000/2010

Related Web page: www.chsrd.med.ecu.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: work of the Center for Health Services Research and Development at East Carolina University
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.