This article examines ethnic differences in total and cause-specific m
ortality We employ the linked National Health Interview Survey-Nationa
l Death Index (NHIS-NDI) to examine ethnic differences in mortality fr
om a combination of demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteris
tic perspectives. We find that Asian American mortality is low in part
because of healthy behaviors and socioeconomic advantages; that Cauca
sian American mortality is higher partly because of high prevalence an
d quantify of cigarette smoking; and that Mexican, Native, and African
American mortality is higher partly from socioeconomic disadvantages.
These results give us added insight into the demographic, social, and
health mechanisms that lead us to persevere or to perish.