Increasing sex mortality differentials among black Americans, 1950-1978.

At the turn of the century the sex mortality ratio (SMR) for US blacks was 1.06; by 1950 the ratio had increased to 1.24 and in 1978 it was up to 1.76. While both whites and blacks exhibit a trend of increase in the SMR the pattern of the increase differs. Although blacks have experienced greater gains in mortality reduction than whites in this century the current racial difference in mortality is such that the life expectancy at birth of blacks is about 6 years less than that of whites. 3 preliminary questions about changing sex mortality differentials are studied: 1) which age groups are particularly responsible for increasing sex differentials; 2) in accounting for changes which specific causes of death have made significant contributions; and 3) does the increased sex differential derive primarily from decreases in female mortality increases in male mortality or from male and female rates moving in the same direction? Results show that from 1950 to 1978 the SMR among US blacks grew by .52 points; the largest increments by young adults aged 25-34 (1.34 points) and young middle aged adults aged 35-44 (.95 points). Causes of death among young adults play an important role at different points in time; heart disease maternal mortality tuberculosis and suicide are some of these causes that affect a widening SMR for this age group. In general the SMR for 25-34 year olds has shown increases in causes of death for which medical health and nutritional interventions have benefited females more than males but the future still holds a narrowing of the SMR gap for this age group if present trends continue. Similar trends are associated with young middle aged adults; both grups display large and consistent amounts of increase in SMRs from 1950 to 1978. For adolescents the overwhelming (44%) increase in the SMR is caused by homicide. Overall the age groups which contribute most to changing sex mortality ratios are young and young middle aged adults; a combination of biological and social factors are responsible. The chief killer among young black adults is homicide with male rates much higher than female rates; it is highly unlikely that men have a biological propensity to die violently. In the case of white males stress manifests itself in suicide; for black males in homicide.