NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 342 ■ July 2019

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Mortality Trends by Race and Ethnicity Among Adults

Aged 25 and over: United States, 2000–2017

Sally C. Curtin, M.A., and Elizabeth Arias, Ph.D.

Key findings

Data from the National 

Vital Statistics System

● The age-adjusted death

rate for Hispanic adults aged

25 and over declined 21%

from 2000 (995.1 per 100,000

standard population) through

2017 (784.4).

● Age-adjusted death rates

for non-Hispanic white and

non-Hispanic black adults aged

25 and over declined from 2000

to 2011–2012, but remained

stable through 2017.

● Between 2000 and 2017, the

difference in age-adjusted death

rates between non-Hispanic

white and Hispanic adults

aged 25 and over widened,

whereas the difference between

non-Hispanic white and

non-Hispanic black adults

narrowed.

● Death rates for non-Hispanic

white, non-Hispanic black, 

and Hispanic adults aged 

25–44 increased between 

2012 and 2017.

Hispanic adults in the United States have experienced lower overall mortality 

and consequently higher life expectancy than non-Hispanic white and 

non-Hispanic black adults (1,2). This report presents recent trends in ageadjusted death rates from 2000 through 2017 for adults aged 25 and over for 

Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic black adults, overall and by 

specific age groups (25–44, 45–64, and 65 and over). 

From 2000 through 2017, age-adjusted death rates for 

non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults declined 

and then leveled off, whereas rates for Hispanic adults 

continued to decline.

● The age-adjusted death rate for Hispanic adults aged 25 and over

declined 21% from 2000 (995.1 per 100,000 standard population)

NCHS reports can be downloaded from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/index.htm.

1

Significant decreasing trend for 2000–2012 with different rates of change over time; stable trend for 2012–2017; p < 0.05. 2

Rate significantly higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white and Hispanic persons, p < 0.05. 3

Significant decreasing trend for 2000–2011; stable trend for 2011–2017, p < 0.05. 4

Rate significantly higher than the rate for Hispanic persons, p < 0.05. 5

Significant decreasing trend for 2000–2017 with different rates of change over time; p < 0.05. 

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 1 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db342_tables-508.pdf#1.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. Deaths per 100,000 population

Figure 1. Age-adjusted death rates for persons aged 25 and over, by Hispanic origin and race: 

United States, 2000–2017

2017

0

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Non-Hispanic black1,2

Non-Hispanic white3,4

Hispanic5
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 342 ■ July 2019

■  2  ■

through 2017 (784.4), with a greater rate of decline from 2000 through 2011 (2.0% annually 

on average) than from 2011 through 2017 (0.7% annually) (Figure 1).

● Age-adjusted death rates for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults aged 25 and 

over declined from 2000 to 2011–2012 (from 1,288.1 in 2000 to 1,135.9 in 2011 and from 

1,690.3 in 2000 to 1,319.6 in 2012, respectively), but remained stable through 2017. 

● Between 2000 and 2017, age-adjusted death rates for Hispanic adults aged 25 and over 

ranged from 39% through 42% lower compared with non-Hispanic black adults, whereas 

the difference between rates for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults widened, from 23% 

lower for Hispanic adults in 2000 to 31% lower in 2017.

● The difference in age-adjusted death rates between non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic 

black adults narrowed, from 24% lower for non-Hispanic white adults in 2000 (1,288.1 

compared with 1,690.3) to 13% lower in 2017 (1,137.4 compared with 1,306.7). 

For adults aged 25–44, death rates for all race and ethnicity groups 

declined from 2000 through 2012 and then increased through 2017. 

● Death rates for Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic black adults aged 25–44 all 

generally declined from 2000 through 2012 and then increased through 2017 (Figure 2). 

Figure 2. Age-specific death rates for persons aged 25–44, by Hispanic origin and race: United States, 2000–2017

1

Significant decreasing trend for 2000–2012 with different rates of change over time; significant increasing trend for 2012–2017; p < 0.05. 2

Rate significantly higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white and Hispanic persons, p < 0.05. 3

Stable trend for 2000–2002; significant decreasing trend for 2002–2012; significant increasing trend for 2012–2017; p < 0.05. 4

Rate significantly higher than the rate for Hispanic persons, p < 0.05. 

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 2 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db342_tables-508.pdf#2.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. Deaths per 100,000 population

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Non-Hispanic black1,2

Hispanic1

Non-Hispanic white3,4

2017

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 342 ■ July 2019

■  3  ■

● Between 2012 and 2017, death rates increased 21% among non-Hispanic white adults aged 

25–44 (from 144.5 to 175.1), 21% for non-Hispanic black adults (from 206.8 to 234.7) and 

13% for Hispanic adults (from 89.2 to 108.1).

● Death rates for Hispanic adults aged 25–44 ranged between 54%–60% lower compared 

with non-Hispanic black adults, whereas the difference in death rates between Hispanic and 

non-Hispanic white adults aged 25–44 more than doubled, increasing from 17% to 38% 

lower for Hispanic adults between 2000 and 2017.

● Death rates for non-Hispanic white adults aged 25–44 in 2000 were 50% lower compared 

with non-Hispanic black adults (140.6 compared with 282.7), and narrowed to 25% lower in 

2017 (175.1 compared with 234.7). 

For adults aged 45–64, death rates among non-Hispanic white and 

non-Hispanic black adults increased more recently, whereas the rate for 

Hispanic adults was stable from 2011 through 2017. 

● After remaining stable in the beginning of the period, death rates for adults aged 45–64 

increased 9% among non-Hispanic white adults (from 606.3 in 2010 to 663.3 in 2017). 

After decreasing between 2000 and 2011, death rates among this age group increased 4% 

among non-Hispanic black adults (from 896.0 to 933.4) through 2017, whereas the rate for 

Hispanic adults was stable from 2011 through 2017 (Figure 3). 

Figure 3. Age-specific death rates for persons aged 45–64, by Hispanic origin and race: United States, 2000–2017

1

Significant decreasing trend for 2000–2011; significant increasing trend for 2011–2017; p < 0.05. 2

Rate significantly higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white and Hispanic persons, p < 0.05. 3

Stable trend for 2000–2010; significant increasing trend for 2010–2017; p < 0.05. 4

Rate significantly higher than the rate for Hispanic persons, p < 0.05. 5

Significant decreasing trend for 2000–2011; stable trend for 2011–2017, p < 0.05.

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 3 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db342_tables-508.pdf#3.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. Deaths per 100,000 population

0

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Non-Hispanic black1,2

Hispanic5

Non-Hispanic white3,4

2017

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 342 ■ July 2019

■  4  ■

● Between 2000 and 2017, death rates among Hispanic adults aged 45–64 ranged from 

55% through 57% lower compared with non-Hispanic black adults, whereas the difference 

in death rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults aged 45–64 increased from 

23% lower for Hispanic adults in 2000 to 39% lower in 2017. 

● Death rates for non-Hispanic white adults in 2000 were 44% lower compared with 

non-Hispanic black adults (614.9 compared with 1,107.5) and narrowed to 29% lower in 

2017 (663.3 compared with 933.4). 

For adults aged 65 and over, death rates generally declined from 2000 

through 2017 for all race and ethnicity groups. 

● Death rates for Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic black adults aged 65 and 

over all generally declined between 2000 and 2017 (Figure 4). 

● The percentage decline in the death rate for adults aged 65 and over was 27% for 

non-Hispanic black adults (from 5,727.3 in 2000 to 4,203.6 in 2017) compared with 18% 

and 17%, respectively, for non-Hispanic white adults (from 5,250.5 to 4,285.5) and Hispanic 

adults (from 3,414.2 to 2,817.1).

0

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,000

5,500

6,000

Non-Hispanic black1,2

Hispanic1

Non-Hispanic white3,4

2017

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Figure 4. Age-specific death rates for persons aged 65 and over, by Hispanic origin and race: United States, 2000–2017

1

Significant decreasing trend for 2000–2017 with different rates of change over time; p < 0.05. 2

Rate significantly higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white persons from 2000 through 2009 and higher than Hispanic persons from 2000 through 2017,

p < 0.05. 

3

Significant decreasing trend for 2000–2017, p < 0.05. 4

Rate significantly higher than for non-Hispanic black persons for 2011 to 2017 and higher than Hispanic persons for 2000 to 2017, p < 0.05.

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 4 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db342_tables-508.pdf#4.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. Deaths per 100,000 population
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 342 ■ July 2019

■  5  ■

● The difference in death rates between non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults aged 65 and 

over narrowed over the period, from 40% lower for Hispanic adults in 2000 to 33% lower 

in 2017; the difference in rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults remained 

relatively constant (34%–37% lower for Hispanic adults). 

● In 2000, the death rate for adults aged 65 and over was 8% lower for non-Hispanic white 

adults than non-Hispanic black adults; these rates converged in 2010, and by 2017 the rate 

was 2% higher for non-Hispanic white adults than non-Hispanic black adults. 

Summary

The age-adjusted death rate for Hispanic adults aged 25 and over generally declined from 

2000 through 2017, whereas the rates for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults 

declined through 2011 and 2012, respectively, and then were stable through 2017. Rates for 

Hispanic adults were always lower than for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults. 

The difference in age-adjusted rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic black adults remained 

relatively stable over the period, whereas the difference in rates between Hispanic and

non-Hispanic white adults widened. The difference in age-adjusted death rates between

non-Hispanic white and black adults was reduced by almost one-half over the period, from 24% 

lower for non-Hispanic white adults in 2000 to 13% lower in 2017.

Among those aged 25–44, all race and ethnicity groups experienced increases in death rates more 

recently, with greater percentage increases for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults 

than for Hispanic adults. Trends for Hispanic adults aged 45–64 differed from trends for

non-Hispanic white and black adults. After declining from 2000 through 2011, death rates for 

Hispanic adults aged 45–64 remained steady from 2011 through 2017. Rates for non-Hispanic 

white and non-Hispanic black adults increased recently, from 2010–2011 to 2017, with a greater 

percentage increase for non-Hispanic white adults than for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic 

adults. For adults aged 65 and over, all race and ethnicity groups showed general declines over 

the period, with non-Hispanic black adults experiencing the greatest percentage decline. 

The findings in this report are consistent with previous research showing that Hispanic adults in 

the United States have traditionally had lower mortality and higher life expectancy than

non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults (1–6). This report also shows that the mortality 

advantage for Hispanic adults has endured through 2017 and has been increasing with respect to 

non-Hispanic white adults. The difference in death rates between non-Hispanic white and

non-Hispanic black adults has generally narrowed.

Data sources and methods

Mortality and population data are from the National Center for Health Statistics’ 1999–2017 

underlying cause-of-death mortality files (7). Age-adjusted death rates were calculated using 

the direct method and the 2000 standard population (8). Population data for 2000 and 2010 are 

April 1 bridged-race census counts: for 2001–2009, they are July 1 intercensal estimates; and for 

2011–2017, they are July 1 postcensal estimates based on the 2010 census. Trends in age-adjusted 

and age-specific death rates in Figures 1–4 were evaluated using the Joinpoint Regression 

Program (9). The Joinpoint software was used to fit weighted least-squares regression models 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 342 ■ July 2019

■  6  ■

to the estimated proportions on the logarithmic scale. The default settings allowed for as few 

as three observed time points in the beginning, ending, and middle line segments, including the 

joinpoints. Using these settings, a maximum of two joinpoints were searched for using the grid 

search algorithm and permutation test, and an overall alpha level of 0.05.

Pairwise comparisons between race and ethnicity groups were tested using the z test statistic at 

the 0.05 level of significance. 

Information on race and ethnicity are from death certificates and are supplied by an informant, 

usually the next of kin. Race and Hispanic origin are two distinct attributes and are reported 

separately on death certificates. Therefore, the data shown in this report by Hispanic origin and 

race are based on a combination of the two attributes for the non-Hispanic population. Data 

shown for the Hispanic population include adults of any race. Death rates for Hispanic adults are 

impacted by inconsistencies in reporting Hispanic origin on the death certificate compared with 

censuses and surveys. A validity study has shown underreporting on death certificates of Hispanic 

decedents by 3% (10). 

Past research has shown significant differences in death rates by specified Hispanic subgroups 

(Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Central and South American, other Hispanic) and 

by nativity status for Hispanic adults (U.S. born, foreign born) (4,6). As the majority of Hispanic 

adults living in the United States are of Mexican descent (11), the trends in this report are mostly 

reflective of trends for that group. 

About the authors

Sally C. Curtin and Elizabeth Arias are with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division of 

Vital Statistics. 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 342 ■ July 2019

■  7  ■

References

1. Arias E, Xu JQ. United States life tables, 2017. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 68 no 

7. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019. Available from: https://www.cdc.

gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr68/nvsr68_07-508.pdf.

2. Arias E, Kochanek KD, Anderson RN. How does cause of death contribute to the Hispanic 

mortality advantage in the United States? NCHS Data Brief, no 221. Hyattsville, MD: National 

Center for Health Statistics. 2015.

3. Markides KS, Coreil J. The health of Hispanics in the southwestern United States: An 

epidemiologic paradox. Public Health Rep 101(3):253–65. 1986. 

4. Palloni A, Arias E. Paradox lost: Explaining the Hispanic adult mortality advantage. 

Demography 41(3):385–415. 2004.

5. Arias E. United States life tables by Hispanic origin. National Center for Health Statistics. 

Vital Health Stat 2(152). 2010. 

6. Fenelon A, Chinn JJ, Anderson RN. A comprehensive analysis of the mortality experience of 

Hispanic subgroups in the United States: Variation by age, country of origin, and nativity. SSM 

Popul Health 3:245–54. 2017.

7. National Center for Health Statistics. About underlying cause of death, 1999–2017. CDC 

WONDER online database. 2016. Available from: http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html.

8. Kochanek KD, Murphy SL, Xu JQ, Arias E. Deaths: Final data for 2017. National Vital 

Statistics Reports; vol 68 no 9. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019. 

Available from: Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr68/nvsr68_09-508.pdf.

9. National Cancer Institute. Joinpoint Regression Program (version 4.4.0.0) [computer 

software]. 2017.

10. Arias E, Heron M, Hakes JK. The validity of race and Hispanic-origin reporting on death 

certificates in the United States: An update. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health 

Stat 2(172). 2016. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_172.pdf. 

11. Pew Research Center. Facts on U.S. Latinos, 2015. 2017. Available from: https://www.

pewhispanic.org/2017/09/18/facts-on-u-s-latinos-current-data/.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 342 ■ July 2019

Keywords: National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) • death certificates • 

Hispanic origin

Suggested citation

Curtin SC, Arias E. Mortality trends by race 

and ethnicity among adults aged 25 and 

over, 2000–2017. NCHS Data Brief, no 342. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health 

Statistics. 2019.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Acting Director

Amy M. Branum, Ph.D., Acting Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Vital Statistics

Steven Schwartz, Ph.D., Director

Hanyu Ni, Ph.D., M.P.H., Associate Director 

for Science

For e-mail updates on NCHS publication 

releases, subscribe online at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/govdelivery.htm.

For questions or general information

about NCHS:

Tel: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)

TTY: 1–888–232–6348

Internet: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs

Online request form: https://www.cdc.gov/info

ISSN 1941–4927 Print ed.

ISSN 1941–4935 Online ed.

DHHS Publication No. 2019–1209

CS306889 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

3311 Toledo Road, Room 4551, MS P08

Hyattsville, MD 20782–2064

OFFICIAL BUSINESS 

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

For more NCHS Data Briefs, visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs.htm.

FIRST CLASS MAIL 

POSTAGE & FEES PAID 

CDC/NCHS

PERMIT NO. G-284