Mortality rates among 15- to 44-year-old women in Boston: looking beyond reproductive status

Am J Public Health. 1995 Aug;85(8 Pt 1):1135-8. doi: 10.2105/ajph.85.8_pt_1.1135.

Abstract

Mortality rates were examined for Boston women, aged 15 to 44, from 1980 to 1989. There were 1234 deaths, with a rate of 787.8/100,000 for the decade. Leading causes were cancer, accidents, heart disease, homicide, suicide, and chronic liver disease. After age adjustment, African-American women in this age group were 2.3 times more likely to die than White women. Deaths at least partly attributable to smoking and alcohol amounted to 29.8% and 31.9%, respectively. Mortality was found to be related more directly to the general well-being of young women than to their reproductive status, and many deaths were preventable. African-American/White disparities were most likely linked to social factors. These findings suggest that health needs of reproductive-age women transcend reproductive health and require comprehensive interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Boston / epidemiology
  • Cause of Death*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mortality
  • Racial Groups
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • White People / statistics & numerical data
  • Women's Health*