Cardiovascular diseases mortality in Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and US Hispanic populations

Background: The large scale migration currently taking place from Latin-America to the United States has created a new era in public health. A systematic examination of patterns of cardiovascular mortality (CVD) for the major US Hispanic populations was carried out and a direct comparison to their respective countries/regions of origin was conducted to evaluate possible transitions in health with migration. Methods: Vital statistics records from the US, Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico compiled by governmental agencies in each country during 2000 were used to estimate CVD age-adjusted mortality. Results: Total age-adjusted CVD mortality for Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans and mainland Puerto Ricans was similar to non-Hispanic whites, and lower than among blacks. CVD rates in Mexico and on the island of Puerto Rico were likewise similar in magnitude, while these mortality rates were 20% higher in Cuba. Death from ischemic heart disease, on the other hand, was higher in non-Hispanic whites than Mexican Americans, Mexicans, Cuban Americans, but lower than Puerto Ricans, Cubans and US blacks. Stroke rates tended to be lower in US whites and all Hispanics and higher in Mexico and Cuba. Conclusions: These data suggest at most a very modest Hispanic advantage in CVD within the US at the present time and a substantial burden of both heart disease and stroke in the countries from which these individuals have immigrated. Further surveillance efforts will be required to determine whether the long-term trends for these populations are following the downward course observed in the US.