Jasmin A. Minaya, BA¹, C Ayala, PhD, MPH², Maria Moreno, MPH², JB Croft, PhD², and GA Mensah². (1) Cardiovascular Health Branch - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, 3005 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Mailstop K-47, Atlanta, GA 30341-4133, 770-488-8072, jminaya@sph.emory.edu, (2) Cardiovascular Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 4770 Buford HWY NE, Mailstop K-47, Atlanta, GA 30341

Background: Nationwide, hypertension control rates are the lowest among Hispanics. However, national trends in hypertension-related mortality (HRM) death rates among Hispanic decedents have not been assessed. This study examines national trends in HRM death rates among adult Hispanic Blacks (HB) and Hispanic Whites (HW) in the U.S. from 1995-2000. Methods: National vital statistics multiple cause mortality files from 1995-2000 were analyzed for all adult Hispanic decedents with hypertension listed as one of up to 20 conditions resulting in death. Trends (2-year intervals) were examined using relative percent change for age-standardized and age-specific death rates (per 100,000) of HRM. Results: In 1999-2000 death rates for HRM increased to 35.0 for HB with a relative percent increase (RPI) of 34.5% (p<0.01) and 91.4 for HW (RPI=39.4%, p<0.01). Age-specific death rates increased for all age groups. Among HB decedents, the highest increase in age-specific death rates was among those aged 20-44 years (RPI=151.5%, p<0.01) and the lowest increase was among those aged 45-64 years (RPI=25.9%, p<0.01). Among HW decedents, the highest increases in age-specific death rates were among those aged 20-44 years (RPI=52.6%, p<0.01) and >85 years (RPI=52.6%, p<0.01). Death rates increased the least for those aged 45-64 years (RPI=27.1%, p<0.01). Conclusions: Age-standardized and age-specific death rates of HRM increased significantly for adult Hispanic Whites and Blacks from 1995-2000. The highest increase was among young Hispanic Blacks aged 20-44 years. Aggressive efforts in the prevention and control of hypertension in high-risk populations, such as young adult Hispanic Blacks, are warranted.

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