Trends in Premature Deaths Among Adults in the United States and Latin America

Question What are the premature mortality rates for US Latino populations compared with those of other US populations and Latin American countries?

Findings In this descriptive cross-sectional study of 16 populations, premature mortality rates were lower among US Latino populations compared with US African American and white populations. The overall favorable mortality trends in 12 Latin American countries were comparable with those of US Latino populations and, in many cases, better than those of US white populations.

Meaning Premature mortality rates are lower among US Latino populations and in several Latin American countries than among US white populations, which may be indicative of a broad “Latino or Hispanic paradox.”

Age-Standardized All-Cause Mortality Rates per 100 000 Population in 2001 and 2015 

Mortality rates for women (A) and men (B) aged 20 to 64 years are shown by population group. The US groups are highlighted with lighter shading.>