Examining the Differences of External Causes of Death in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color versus the Non-Hispanic White Population of Vermont

Author

Caitlin Wilson, The University of Vermont, Larner College of MedicineFollow
Yainna Hall, The University of Vermont, Larner College of MedicineFollow
Jennifer Garrigan, The University of Vermont, Larner College of MedicineFollow
Brigid Enright, The University of Vermont, Larner College of MedicineFollow
Abby Erwin, The University of Vermont, Larner College of MedicineFollow
Caitlin Quinn, Vermont Department of HealthFollow

Date of Publication

2022

Faculty Mentor

Caitlin Quinn

Abstract

Objectives: Our objective in this study was to examine differences in risk of death from various external causes between the BIPOC community and individuals who identified as NHW.

Methods: 2015-2019 death certificate data accessible on the Vermont Electronic Data Registration System (EDRS) was analyzed and categorized by external causes of death. Decedent race/ethnicity was assigned as BIPOC or NHW according to the race/ethnicity listed on EDRS. Mortality rates were calculated using binary logistic regression and variable significance was calculated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results: There were varied external causes of death between BIPOC and NHW populations. The risk of external causes of death were 65.3% lower among BIPOC individuals who were married. The odds of death by external causes are 52.6% greater for individuals who did not graduate high school. Assault deaths constituted the largest proportion of BIPOC external causes of death.

Discussion: There was an increase in certain external causes of death affecting BIPOC Vermonters, even in a state of racial and ethnic homogeneity. This study’s results imply a need for increased health equity reform and the continued expansion of the Vermont Race Equity Task Force.

Document Type

Project

Recommended Citation

Wilson, Caitlin; Hall, Yainna; Garrigan, Jennifer; Enright, Brigid; Erwin, Abby; and Quinn, Caitlin, "Examining the Differences of External Causes of Death in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color versus the Non-Hispanic White Population of Vermont" (2022). Master of Public Health Culminating Projects. 31.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/mphcp/31