In young and middle adulthood, the highest death rates occurred among which group?

• A. African Americans
• B. Hispanic Americans
• C. Asian Americans
• D. Caucasian Americans

Answer: (A)

Mortality differences across races in early to middle adulthood reflect how social factors shape health. In young and middle adulthood, African Americans have higher death rates than Hispanic, Asian, and Caucasian Americans. This pattern stems from a combination of factors: greater exposure to poverty and limited access to quality health care, higher prevalence of certain chronic conditions that emerge earlier, and greater risk of violence, accidents, and other leading causes of death in these age ranges. Systemic racism and the stress it creates also contribute to poorer health outcomes and earlier mortality. Together, these social and health disparities explain why this group shows the highest death rates in these stages of adulthood.