Period Life Tables for the Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native Population, 2007–2009

OBJECTIVES: We estimated complete period life tables for the non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population residing in Contract Health Service Delivery Area (CHSDA) counties for the period 2007-2009. METHODS: We used National Vital Statistics System mortality data files for years 2007-2009 corrected for AI/AN misclassification on death certificates, midyear 2008 revised census bridged race intercensal population estimates, and National Vital Statistics System birth data for years 2006-2009. We used the same methodology as that used to estimate official US annual life tables, with some minor modifications. RESULTS: For the period 2007-2009, the non-Hispanic AI/AN population in CHSDA counties had the lowest life expectancy at birth (71.1 years) of any racial/ethnic group for which official US life tables are estimated. By comparison, in 2008, life expectancy at birth was 73.9 years for the non-Hispanic Black population, 78.4 years for the non-Hispanic White population, and 80.8 years for the Hispanic population. CONCLUSIONS: The life tables showed a clear mortality disadvantage for the non-Hispanic AI/AN population in CHSDA counties relative to other national populations. The findings suggested that further research is necessary to explore the causes behind these disadvantages.