Study Reveals Underreporting of Native American Mortality and Life Expectancy in U.S. Records

Recent research conducted by Boston University School of Public Health uncovers significant discrepancies in the reported mortality rates and life expectancy of Native Americans and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in the United States. The study demonstrates that official vital statistics largely underestimate the actual death rates for AI/AN populations due to misclassification and underreporting on death certificates, where many decedents' race is incorrectly recorded as 'white.'

This misreporting skews official data, leading to the overestimation of life expectancy and underrepresentation of mortality disparities between AI/AN communities and other Americans. When adjusting for these inaccuracies, the true life expectancy gap between AI/AN and the overall U.S. population appears to be approximately 6.5 years—more than double the unadjusted figures—and this disparity has widened over time.

The study used a comprehensive approach by linking records from the 2008 American Community Survey with mortality data through 2019, involving over 4 million respondents, including 30,500 self-identified AI/AN individuals. Comparing self-reported race data with official death certificate information revealed that over 41% of AI/AN decedents were misclassified, leading to substantial underestimation of mortality risk.

This research highlights that AI/AN individuals face higher mortality rates—42% above the national average—particularly among young and middle-aged adults, regardless of residence on or off reservations. Leading causes of death contributing to these disparities include heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Dr. Jacob Bor, the study’s lead author, emphasizes that these findings expose long-standing health inequities rooted in a history of colonization, forced removal, and cultural suppression. The undercounting of Indigenous deaths perpetuates invisibility, hindering effective policy responses. Experts call for improved data collection methods, collaboration with AI/AN communities, and investment in health initiatives tailored to these populations.

The study underscores the urgent need to recognize and address the disparities by enhancing the accuracy of health data and acknowledging the enduring impacts of historical trauma on AI/AN health outcomes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-underestimate-native-americans-deaths-life.html