Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 10, 1 October 2010 — Early death higher for Hawaiians than whites, study says [ARTICLE]

Early death higher for Hawaiians than whites, study says

By Francine Murray KaWai Ola \ative Hawaiian babies less than 1 year old have a death rate 50 percent higher than whites and 15 percent higher than blacks in the United States, according to the Mortality Patterns ofNative Hawaiians Across Tiieir Lifespan: 1990-2000, a new study released by the University of Michigan. "We also found that older Native Hawaiians have higher expected death rates than either blacks or whites age 65 and over, suggesting that relatively fewer of this group have benefited from the increased longevity enjoyed by the rest of the nation," said Sela Panapasa, the study's lead author.

Using U.S. Census Bureau data and the National Center for Heahh Statistics vital registration data, the ages and mortality rates of Native Hawaiians were compared to other ethnic groups by Panapasa and co-authors Marjorie Mau of the University of Hawai'i, David Williams of Harvard University and James McNally of University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. "Native Hawaiians are far more likely than whites to suffer early death," said Panapasa, an assistant research scientist at the Institute for Social Research. "Like hlaek Americans, they are also mueh more likely than whites to die in mid- and later-life." As alarming as these findings are, for some in the Hawaiian community the outcomes were anticipated.

"This data highlighting Native Hawaiians on the eontinental U.S. at a national level confirms some of the health statistics and risk factors that we see among Native Hawaiians here in the state of Hawai'i," said Dr. Kamana'opono Crabbe, Director of Research at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. "Knowing that we are mueh more vulnerable and at-risk for higher mortality and morbidity, I think researchers and health providers should consider really focusing on systemic change that targets integrated health services and incorporates cultural traditions for Native Hawaiians." Morbidity is the incidence or prevalence of disease in a population. The physically active people of old Hawai'i were stewards of the land prospering on a SEE STUDY ON PAGE 25

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healthy diet revolving around the staple foodtaro. Forthem, Hawaiian health meant an overall good condition not only of the mind, body and spirit, but also of their community and environment. It takes a village to raise a healthy child. "The challenge is to really address Native Hawaiian heahh," Crabbe said. Panapasa said, "This information ean guide policy development, healthcare programs and interventions, as well as encourage new research that builds on these findings." The study brings to light a need to identify the causes or conditions that Native Hawaiians face whieh result in shorter life spans than those of the general populahon. "Because of their (Native Hawaiians') relatively small numbers, their social, eeonomie and heahh status have been chronically under-represented in national sur-

veys and distinctive patterns have been missed," Panapasa said. "As the U.S. becomes increasingly diverse both racially and ethnically, this type of analysis allows for new insights into the underpinnings of differences in morbidity and mortality. It offers an opportunity to identify how best to reduce

heahh concems and disparities in racially diverse populations." The study was funded by the Nahonal Center for Minority Heahh and Heahh Disparities, part of the National Institutes of Heahh and is published in the Ameriean Journal of Public Heahh, November 2010 issue. ■

Knowing that we are mueh more vulnerable and at-risk for higher mortality and morbidity, I think researchers and health providers should consider really focusing on systemic change that targets integrated heahh services and incorporates cultural traditions for Native Hawaiians." — Dr. Kamana'opono Crabbe, Director of Research at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs