The distribution of selenium and mortality owing to acquired immune deficiency syndrome in the continental United States |
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Authors: | U M Cowgill |
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Institution: | (1) Department of EPO Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, P.O. Box 1327, 81623 Carbondale, CO |
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Abstract: | A hypothesis has been proposed that Selenium (Se) concentration in the environment as measured by its uptake by alfalfa, which
sorbs Se from the soil in proportion to what is present, exerted an apparent effect on incidence of (acquired immune deficiency
syndrome) AIDS such that AIDS’ mortality within the conterminous United States was lower where the Se quantity in the soil
was high than where the amount was low. The object of this study was to test this hypothesis for statistical significance
and to discover whether the apparent pattern of AIDS mortality in relation to Se distribution holds true with respect to all
ages, both races (Black and White), and both genders. The statistical analysis employed was analysis of variance. Age-specific
data as well as age-adjusted data were subject to statistical analysis. Ages where AIDS mortality rates per 100,000 were greatest
were in the range from 25–54 yr for low-, medium-, and high-Se areas of the US. Black mortality owing to AIDS showed highly
statistically significant results for the three Se regions, both genders, and six age groups, whereas white mortality was
not as significantly affected by Se. A hypothesis is proposed that the Black population during the last decade or so has been
less migratory than the White population. Thus, their food supply and hence its Se content have been more stable than that
of the White population, which is more prone to consume imported foods of unknown Se content and be more migratory. A second
hypothesis is advanced that suggests that medical care is not equally available to the poor and especially poor Blacks. Black
men and women die at a greater death rate than do Whites. This implies that a lack of medical care is the true cause. This
article suggests that a pattern exists between the geographical distribution of Se using alfalfa as a dietary guide and AIDS’
mortality such that an inverse relationship persists between Se quantity in an area and AIDS’ mortality in the same area. |
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Keywords: | Selenium and AIDS mortality geographical distribution diet age-specific rates 10-yr age groups age-adjusted rates analysis of variance race gender ICD*042-*044 |
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