- Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders were almost four times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to have a stroke in 2014.
- Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders are 30 percent more likely to die from a stroke as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
- Cerebrovascular disease can be more prevalent in some U.S. island territories. For example, the death rate from stroke is twice as high in the territory of Guam, as compared to the non-Hispanic white population nationally.
- In general, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults have developed several of the high-risk factors which can lead to heart attacks and stroke, such as higher rates of obesity, hypertension and cigarette smoking.
Diagnosed Cases of Stroke
| Age-adjusted percentage of stroke among persons 18 years of age and over, 2014 | ||
|---|---|---|
| **Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 8.6* | 2.2 | 3.9 |
| *Estimates have a high relative standard error and should be used with caution as they do not meet the standards of reliability set by the CDC. **NOTE: This is the most recent national data available at this time. | ||
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
Death Rate
| Age-adjusted stroke death rates per 100,000 (2018) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
| Men | 47.3 | 35.7 | 1.3 |
| Women | 45.1 | 35.6 | 1.3 |
| Total | 46.6 | 36.0 | 1.3 |
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr69/nvsr69-13-508.pdf [PDF | 2.05MB]
United States Territories
| Age-adjusted stroke death rates per 100,000 (2018) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Territory | Non-Hispanic White (U.S. National) | Territory / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
| Guam | 79.7 | 36.0 | 2.2 |
| American Samoa | -- | 36.0 | -- |
| Northern Marianas | 44.0 | 36.0 | 1.2 |
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr69/nvsr69-13-508.pdf [PDF | 2.05MB]
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors related to stroke. Some of these risk factors are:
- Obesity and Overweight – See Obesity and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders
- Hypertension – See Heart Disease and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders
- High Cholesterol – See Heart Disease and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders
- Cigarette Smoking – See Heart Disease and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders
Last Edited: 06/11/2025