MORTALITY PATTERNS AMONG THE YOUTH OF A NORTHEASTERN AMERICAN-INDIAN COHORT

Mortality patterns prevalent among American Indian youth have not been well documented. This investigation reports on mortality patterns amo ng the Seneca Nation of Indians from January 1, 1955, through December 31, 1989. The study cohort consisted of 3,033 Seneca tribal members b orn during the study period. Deaths occurring among cohort members you nger than age 25 were identified through a computer match against New York State vital record files. Sex-specific standardized mortality rat ios were calculated on the basis of mortality patterns exhibited by th e general population of New York State, exclusive of New York City. Ma les exhibited significantly elevated mortality for all causes combined , for deaths due to all accidents combined, for motor vehicle accident s, and for suicide. Females demonstrated significantly elevated mortal ity from all accidents combined, for motor vehicle accidents, and for all other types of accidents. Age-specific mortality patterns also var ied both by sex and by calendar time. These findings are important to consider in the design of programs aimed at reducing premature mortali ty among American Indian populations from preventable causes of death.