Search

The article features a discussion on hypertension and heart disease in the state of Hawaii. Mortality statistics show that in the early twentieth century, heart disease was insignificant in Hawaii as a cause of death compared to infectious diseases for all ethnic groups. Native Hawaiians have significantly higher rates of heart disease than other ethnic groups. In 1920 the mortality rate from arteriosclerotic disease among Native Hawaiians was 3.4 per 100,000 population, but by 1960 it was 287.2 per 100,000, twice as high as the combined rate for other racial groups.

The article features a framework for assessing the health needs of Hawaiians. Systematic medical information on the population of Hawaii is available since the early 20th century. A report from the US Office of Technology Assessment in 1987 showed that the overall death rate of Native Hawaiians is 34% higher than for the total US population, with higher rates for diseases of the heart, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. Thus, epidemiological data provide clear evidence that Native Hawaiians are a high risk population for many serious health problems.