A further analysis of race differences in the National Longitudinal Mortality Study

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between race and specific causes of mortality among adults 25 years and older in the National Longitudinal Mortality Study. Methods. Mortality hazard ratios between races during 9 years of follow-up were estimated with Cox proportional hazards models, with control for multiple indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) and SES-relevant variables. Results. Black persons younger than 65 years were at higher risk than others for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, the strongest effects were observed among persons aged 25 through 44 years. Conclusions. Race, independent of SES, is related to mortality in American society, but these effects vary by age and disease categories.