DIABETES AMONG MEXICAN AMERICANS IN STARR COUNTY, TEXAS

Abstract

Hanis, C. L. (Center for Demographic and Population Genetics, U. of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77025), R. E. Ferrell, S. A. Barton, L. Aguilar, A. Garza-lbarra, B. R. Tulloch, C. A. Garcia and W. J. Schull. Diabetes among Mexican Americans In Starr County, Texas. Am J Epidemiol 1983; 118: 659–72. An Increasing body of evidence suggests that diabetes mellitus constitutes a major health burden among the Mexican-American population. For example, county-wide death rates in Texas attributable to diabetes from 1970–1981 range from 2.5–52.0 diabetes deaths per 1000 total deaths with the highest rates generally occurring in counties whose populations are more than 75% Spanish ancestry. To assess the prevalence and morbidity of nonlnsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus among Mexican Americans, 14% of the Starr County, Texas, population (97% Mexican-American) was randomly sampled. The reference population, sampling strategy, and screening results are described. Age-specific prevalences of diabetes for males ranged from 0% In males aged 15–24 years to 17.6% in those above 75 years of age. Rates for females ranged from 0.4% in those aged 15–24 years to a high of 19.0% in the 55- to 64-year age group. In both sexes, the rates are relatively low for persons under age 45 with a sharp increase in those aged 45–54 years and high rates prevailing In the older age groups. Comparisons of the rates in Starr County to those of the general US population Indicate a two- to fivefold greater risk in Starr County. In terms of impact on this community, these results imply that over 50% of Individuals older than 35 years are directly affected by diabetes by virtue of their having the disease or by being a first-degree relative of a diabetic.