Mortality among Hispanics in metropolitan Chicago: An examination based on vital statistics data

Abstract

This paper analyzes the mortality of Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans residing in the Chicago metropolitan area. In a comparison of these two groups with nonHispanic whites in the same area, it was found that Hispanic mortality is unusually low for the two leading causes of death in the mainstream U.S. population. Explanations discussed include underdiagnosis, underreporting of illness, the “healthy migrant” thesis and possible return migration of elderly ill.