Race and Ethnicity

The U.S. government treats race and ethnicity as two separate and distinct concepts, therefore mortality data are categorized by separate race and ethnicity variables. Starting with the 2018 data year the race identifiers have been updated to include the following groups:

  • American Indian or Alaska Native
  • Asian
  • Black or African American
  • More than one race
  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

The ethnicity categories include:

  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Not Hispanic or Latino

Because white non-Hispanics experience 68% of all preventable injury-related deaths, sub-trends occurring among other race and ethnic groups can be overlooked. The interactive chart allows you to explore preventable injury-related death trends by race, ethnicity, cause of death, age group, and year of death.

In 2021, the overall preventable death rate per 100,000 population increased 10% among white non-Hispanics but increased as much or more for other groups:

  • +41% – Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – non-Hispanic
  • +20% – American Indian or Alaskan Native non-Hispanic
  • +17% – Black or African American non-Hispanic
  • +15% – Hispanic or Latino
  • +13% – More than one race non-Hispanic
  • +10% – Asian

In 2021, the preventable poisoning (including drug overdoses) death rate per 100,000 population increased among all groups other than Asian non-Hispanics:

  • +52% – Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – non-Hispanic
  • +26% – American Indian or Alaskan Native non-Hispanic
  • +25% – Black or African American non-Hispanic
  • +20% – Hispanic or Latino
  • +14% – More than one race non-Hispanic
  • +13% – White non-Hispanic
  • -1% – Asian non-Hispanic

In 2021, the motor-vehicle death rate per 100,000 population increased among all groups:

  • +63% – Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – non-Hispanic
  • +30% – American Indian or Alaskan Native non-Hispanic
  • +16% – Asian non-Hispanic
  • +13% – Hispanic or Latino
  • +13% – More than one race non-Hispanic
  • +9% – White non-Hispanic
  • +8% – Black or African American non-Hispanic

Use the interactive chart to explore other trends.

  • Chart
  • Data Table
How to Use Injury Facts® Charts and Tables