Black-white differences in cervical cancer mortality - United States, 1980-1987

Article Abstract:

Cervical cancer mortality for black women is approximately double that for white women; in 1987 the ratio of mortality for blacks versus whites was 2.6. Examination of the statistics from 1980 through 1987 shows that even though cervical cancer deaths were declining for both black and white women, twice as many black as white women died of the disease throughout this same period. Death from cervical cancer is almost always preventable, because early detection and treatment can remove the cancer. With the introduction and regular use of the Pap smear, a screening test for abnormalities of the cervix, a 70 percent reduction in cervical cancer mortality has been achieved since 1947. It is not clear why black women die at a greater rate from this disease, but several possibilities have been suggested. Contributing factors may include their lower socioeconomic status and a higher incidence of cervical cancer. An important factor may be that before the 1980s, black women tended to have Pap smears less frequently than white women, and this probably led to more cervical cancer deaths among older black women. Since younger black women may actually have Pap smears more often than white women of the same age, any excess of deaths among blacks could be due to differences in follow-up care and treatment. The national goals for prevention of cervical cancer deaths are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Usage, Cervical cancer, Cancer, Preventive health services, Preventive medicine, Pap test, African American women

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Changes in Mortality From Heart Failure-- United States 1980-1995

Article Abstract:

The death rate from heart failure is dropping, most likely because of improvements in diagnosing and treating the disease. In 1995, about 95% of the 46,484 deaths from heart failure occurred in those aged 65 or older. In this age group, the death rate from heart failure increased between 1980 and 1988 but began to drop an average of 1% each year after 1988 in all races and both sexes. The biggest decrease occurred in black men, followed by black women, white men and white women. Declines in death rates from heart failure may result from early detection of the disease and changes in the care of patients with hypertension and heart attack, particularly older black adults.

Heart failure

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State-Specific Maternal Mortality Among Black and White Women--United States, 1987-1996

Article Abstract:

It seems clear that the US will not achieve one of the Healthy People 2000 goals, which is to lower the maternal death rate from complications of pregnancy to 3.3 or less for every 100,000 live births. Between 1982 and 1996, this rate remained at approximately 7.5. Data from individual states reveals that the rate ranged from 1.9 in New Hampshire to 22.8 in the District of Columbia. Eight states and DC had higher rates than the national average. One reason for the disparity is the fact that black women consistently had rates that were two to six times higher than white women.

Statistical Data Included, Women, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Healthy People 2000 (Report)

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