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Indians in New Mexico have highest rate of flu deaths
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Filed Under: Health

American Indians in New Mexico are dying from the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, at the highest rate, a Department of Health official said.

As of last week, 40 people died from the swine flu. Eight of them were Indian -- five adults and three children.

"We know American Indians have higher rates of diabetes in New Mexico, and that may partly contribute to what we're seeing," said deputy state epidemiologist Mike Landen, the Associated Press reported. "We also know American Indians have higher poverty rates as a group than other population groups. We also know that in the West, American Indians may be living in relatively remote places with longer distances to medical care. All of these may be possible explanations."

Get the Story:
N.M. sees higher swine flu deaths among American Indians (AP 12/2)

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