Potential years of life lost at ages 25 to 74 among Status Indians, 1991 to 2001.

Background: Compared with other Canadians, First Nations peoples experience a disproportionate burden of illness and disease. Potential years of life lost (PYLL) before age 75 highlights the impact of youthful or early deaths.

Data And Methods: The 1991 to 2001 Canadian census mortality follow-up study tracked a 15% sample of adults aged 25 or older over more than a decade. This study examined mortality among people aged 25 to 74-55,600 Status Indians (39,200 on reserve and 16,500 off reserve) and 2,475,700 non-Aboriginal adults-all of whom were enumerated by the 1991 census long-form questionnaire. Age-standardized PYLL rates were calculated, based on the number of person-years at risk before age 75.

Results: Status Indian adults had 2.5 times the risk of dying before age 75, compared with non-Aboriginal adults. Results did not differ greatly by residence on or off reserve. Relative and absolute inequalities were greatest for unintentional and intentional injuries. Socio-economic factors such as income, education, housing and employment explained a substantial share of the disparities in premature death.

Interpretation: Status Indian adults had higher rates of premature mortality. Socio-economic factors played an important role in those disparities. Injuries were important contributors to both relative and absolute inequalities.