Yonsei Med J.  1996 Feb;37(1):31-37. 10.3349/ymj.1996.37.1.31.

Proportional mortality ratios among Korean immigrants to New York City, 1986-1990

• Stellman S

• KMID: 699870
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1996.37.1.31

Abstract

BACKGROUND: About 13,000 people immigrated to New York City from the Republic of Korea between 1986 and 1990, creating an important ethnic minority. METHODS: Using US-born Whites as a reference, age-adjusted proportional mortality ratios were computed for 314 men and 248 women of Korean ancestry born abroad who died in New York City in 1986-90. RESULTS: Males had a significant excess of viral hepatitis, cancer, stroke, and external causes: accidents, suicide, and homicide. They had significantly reduced proportional rates of AIDS and heart disease. Mortality patterns were similar for Korean women, who had significantly increased proportional rates of stroke and accidents, and reduced heart disease. Stomach and liver cancers were significantly elevated in both sexes, while female breast cancer was low. There were two male and one female tuberculosis deaths (4 to 7 fold increase), and one Korean woman died of childbirth complications (59-fold increase). CONCLUSIONS: Except for violent deaths, these observations resemble known mortality patterns in Korea.

Keyword

Immigrants; Korea; New York City; proportional mortality; vital records

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
*Emigration and Immigration
*Ethnic Groups
Female
Human
Infant
Korea/ethnology
Male
Middle Age
*Mortality
New York City/ethnology
Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.