Differential gastrointestinal mortality in Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Asian subgroups in the U.S.: a cross-sectional analysis of national mortality surveillance data 2018–2023

TL;DR

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders have higher gastrointestinal disease mortality rates than Asians in the U.S., especially for liver and non-cancer digestive diseases.

Contribution

This study provides the first detailed comparison of gastrointestinal mortality rates between disaggregated Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Asian subgroups in the U.S.

Findings

NHPIs had a 24% higher overall gastrointestinal-related mortality rate than Asians.

NHPIs showed a 33% higher mortality rate for liver diseases and 63% higher for non-cancer digestive diseases.

Disaggregating data revealed significant disparities in gastrointestinal mortality among these subpopulations.

Abstract

Asians and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) comprise 8% of the U.S. population with over 40 subgroups. Health data often aggregate these subpopulations, limiting group-specific estimates. In 2018, modifications to death certificates allowed for the disaggregation of NHPIs from Asians. This study examines differences in gastrointestinal-related mortality between NHPI and Asian adults across all major gastrointestinal disease categories.

We analyzed mortality data for adults aged ≥25 years from the National Center for Health Statistics 2018–2023. Established definitions classified NHPI and Asian individuals based on single or multi-race listings. Gastrointestinal-related deaths were identified using validated ICD-10 codes and categorized into liver diseases, colorectal cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancers, and non-cancer digestive diseases. Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100,000 and rate ratios were calculated.

Between 2018 and 2023, there were 3322 gastrointestinal-related deaths among NHPI adults (mean age 63.9 years, standard deviation 14.4; 1373 [41.3%] female decedents) and 47,275 among Asian adults (mean age 70.2 years, standard deviation 14.6; 20,892 [44.2%] female decedents). Overall gastrointestinal-related ASMR for NHPIs was 66.8 (95% CI: 64.5–69.2) per 100,000 adults. NHPIs exhibited higher mortality rates than Asians in all gastrointestinal disease categories. NHPIs had 24% higher overall gastrointestinal-related mortality rate than Asians (RR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.20–1.29), with 33% higher for liver diseases (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.24–1.44) and 63% higher for non-cancer digestive diseases (RR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.49–1.77).

NHPIs (vs. Asians) have higher gastrointestinal-related mortality rates, with the greatest disparities observed in liver diseases and non-cancer digestive diseases. By disaggregating data across the full spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases, this study provides a clearer understanding of NHPI-specific disparities and highlights critical areas for targeted public health efforts.

U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

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