Changing trends in mortality among New Mexico's American Indians, 1958-1987

Ethnic differences in the occurrence of oropharyngeal cancer in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the oropharyngeal cancer pattern among different ethnic groups in Taiwan.

METHODS

The sample population was divided into three ethnic groups: the Fukkien, Hakka, and aboriginal communities. Age-standardized mortality rates (SMRs) and age-standardized incidence rates (SIRs) were estimated among these ethnic groups for the period 1979-1996/1997.

RESULTS

Our study found that the higher oropharyngeal cancer mortality and incidence rates in females of aboriginal groups are statistically significant, and higher than reference groups for both genders (SMR=3.76, SIR=2.18). However, in the lower areca quid chewing aboriginal groups, the higher pattern was not seen in females, and the lower pattern was even found in males. The incidence and mortality rate of oropharyngeal cancer in Hakkas was significantly lower than in the reference group.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of oropharyngeal cancer in Taiwan showed ethnic differences. The differences may be due to variation in exposure to different risk factors; however, in our study, we found that genetic differences might also be considered when explaining the different oropharyngeal cancer patterns among ethnic groups.

Aboriginal deaths in Western Australia: 1985-89 and 1990-94

OBJECTIVE

To examine death data for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal persons in Western Australia (WA) in 1985-89 and 1990-94.

METHODS

Population estimates were provided by the Health Information Centre of the WA Health Department based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Death data came from the WA Registrar-General's Office. Standard methods were used to obtain rates and levels of significance.

RESULTS

Main causes of deaths among Aboriginal males in 1990-94 were circulatory conditions, respiratory, injury and poisoning, neoplasms and endocrine diseases; in Aboriginal females they were circulatory, neoplasms, endocrine diseases, respiratory diseases, and injury and poisoning. From 1985-89 to 1990-94, the Aboriginal male all-cause age-standardised death rates fell 3% (ns) while the non-Aboriginal male rate fell 11% (p < 0.05). The Aboriginal female all-cause death rate rose 11% (ns) while the non-Aboriginal rate fell 5% (p < 0.05). The all-cause death rate ratio (Aboriginal:non-Aboriginal) changed from 2.4 to 2.6 (males) and 2.5 to 2.9 (females). There was a major increase in deaths from endocrine diseases among Aborigines and non-Aborigines. This increase was proportionally much greater among Aborigines. In non-Aborigines there was a significant decrease in deaths from circulatory diseases (mainly ischaemic heart disease); this did not occur among Aborigines.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the study period, Aboriginal health standards, as reflected by death rates, apparently worsened relative to non-Aboriginal standards.

IMPLICATIONS

Better health promotion, disease prevention and disease care are required to help achieve acceptable health standards among Aboriginal peoples.

Mortality among Navajo uranium miners

OBJECTIVES

To update mortality risks for Navajo uranium miners, a retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted of 757 Navajos from the cohort of Colorado Plateau uranium miners.

METHODS

Vital status was followed from 1960 to 1990. Standardized mortality ratios were estimated, with combined New Mexico and Arizona non-White mortality rates used for comparison. Cox regression models were used to evaluate exposure-response relationships.

RESULTS

Elevated standardized mortality ratios were found for lung cancer (3.3), tuberculosis (2.6), and pneumoconioses and other respiratory diseases (2.6). Lowered ratios were found for heart disease (0.6), circulatory disease (0.4), and liver cirrhosis (0.5). The estimated relative risk for a 5-year duration of exposure vs none was 3.7 for lung cancer, 2.1 for pneumoconioses and other respiratory diseases, and 2.0 for tuberculosis. The relative risk for lung cancer was 6.9 for the midrange of cumulative exposure to radon progeny compared with the least exposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings were consistent with those from previous studies. Twenty-three years after their last exposure to radon progeny, these light-smoking Navajo miners continue to face excess mortality risks from lung cancer and pneumoconioses and other respiratory diseases.

Road crashes involving aboriginal people in Western Australia

Previous researchers who have looked at the problem of Australian Aboriginals involved in road crashes have examined data about Aboriginals killed in crashes as this has been the only kind available. The aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics of Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals hospitalised in Western Australia after a crash. The results suggested that Aboriginals were over-represented in casualty road crashes on a per-capita basis but that they did not differ in the patterns of injuries received or in injury severity when compared to non-Aboriginal casualties. Additional data are needed to further examine these issues.