From The National Women's Health Information Center, CDC and The Office of Minority Health

According to the latest U.S. vital statistics data (2006) the life expectancy for a baby born in 2006 hit a new record high: 78.1 years, a 0.3 increase from 2005. Record-high life expectancy was recorded for both white males — 76 years — and black males — 70 years. The same is true for white females, whose life expectancy is now 81 years and black females, who have a life expectancy of 76.9 years.

Asian American women experience the greatest life expectancy (85.8 years) of any other ethnic group in the U.S.

Mortality

(Note: Mortality rate is defined as the number of deaths in a given year per 100,000 persons in the population.)

1. African-American women. The four leading causes of death among African-American women are, in order of prevalence: heart disease; all malignant neoplasms (cancer) combined; cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke; and diabetes. African Americans have the highest rate of high blood pressure of all groups and tend to develop it younger than others. African-American women continue to have higher rates of mortality from breast and cervical cancer than white women.
2. American Indian/Alaska Native women. The four leading causes of death among American Indian/Alaskan Native women are, in order of prevalence: heart disease; all cancers combined; unintentional injuries (accidents); and diabetes. These women have lower death rates from most major diseases than do White women, including cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. However, their mortality rates from motor vehicle-related injuries, diabetes, chronic liver disease (cirrhosis), cervical cancer and homicide are higher than those for White women. American Indians/Alaska Natives also have a high prevalence and risk factors for mental health and suicide, obesity, substance abuse, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and teenage pregnancy.
3. Asian-American/Pacific Islander women. The four leading causes of death for Asian-American/Pacific Islander women are, in order of prevalence: all cancers combined; heart disease; cerebrovascular disease, including stroke; and diabetes. Asian-American women have the highest life expectancy (85.8 years) of any other ethnic group in the U.S. They have lower death rates from most major diseases than do White women, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Their mortality rate from all cancers combined was lower than white women in 2004 but higher for stomach and cervical cancers.
4. Hispanic women. The four leading causes of death among Hispanic women are the same as for African-American women: heart disease; all cancers combined; cerebrovascular diseases; and diabetes. Diabetes is a major problem for this group. Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans are almost twice as likely as whites to have diabetes. Being overweight or obese puts you at higher risk for diabetes. Among Mexican American women, 73 percent are overweight or obese, as compared to only 61.6 percent of the general female population. Among Hispanic women, mortality rates from heart disease, stroke, all cancers combined and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are lower than those of white women.