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Show Population by Race/Ethnicity When analyzing the health status of a population, it is important to examine the racial and ethnic distribution. The health status of a population can be influenced by its race/ethnicity distribution, as rates for mortality and morbidity vary somewhat by race. The health status of ethnic communities can be influenced by environmental factors, socioeconomic status and cultural values. In 1990, 93.8% of Utah's population was classified as white, compared to 80.3% of the national population. The percentage of Utahns who are black is 0.7%, substantially lower than 12.1% for the nation. Table 4. Percent of Population by Race/Ethnicity Hispanics are the largest ethnic community in Utah; they comprise 4.9% of Utah's population. When compared to the nation, a larger percentage of Utahns are American Indian. The small size in various ethnic groups poses challenges in assessing health status for portions of Utah's population. This is due to that fact that small differences in the number of deaths or health events can have large effects on the rates. Caution must be exercised when interpreting data from small populations. American Indian, Eskimo, Asian or White Hispanic* > or Aleut Pacific Islander Black Other Year Utah U.S Utah U S. Utah U.S. Utah U.S. Utah U.S Utah U.S. 1980 94.6 83 .1 4.1 6.4 1.3 0.6 1.0 1.5 0.6 11 .7 2.4 3.0 1990 93.8 80 .3 4.9 9.0 1.4 0.8 1.9 2.9 0.7 12 .1 2.2 3.9 "Those who report Hispanic origin can be of any race. Table 4. Sources: Utah 1990: Utah State Economic Coordinating Committee (1992). Economic Report to the Governor 1992. Salt Lake City. p. 128. 1980: Utah Bureau of Economic and Business Research (1990). Statistical Abstract of Utah. Salt Lake City. p. 13. U.S. 1980-1990: United States Bureau of the Census (1992). Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1992 (112th ed.). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, p. 16. Figure 7___________________________________________________________________ 100 -r 20 Population by Race/Ethnicity ¦ 1980 D1990 vO^ V c 70 |