Final Multivariate Testing of Study Hypotheses

Abstract

Up to this point, the identification of variables that could potentially influence the relationship between race/Hispanic origin and mortality has been examined with each item analyzed separately along with year of birth. A more definitive testing of the study hypotheses will be described in this chapter that assesses all the significant variables simultaneously. Thus far, the empirical data indicate that African-Americans are the most disadvantaged of the 3 study groups when it comes to mortality. Also, in most analyses, Hispanic players do not fare as well mortality-wise compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts, although educational attainment appears to attenuate this effect. The empirical analyses presented in this chapter will determine whether African-American race and possibly Hispanic origin persist as risk factors for mortality, above and beyond what is explained by all other significant variables, specifically year of birth, educational attainment, BMI, years of playing experience and player position. Results of these analyses will also indicate whether any of the other independent variables impact on the relationship between race/Hispanic and mortality risk. Year of birth, African-American race, lower educational attainment, overweight BMI, fewer years of baseball playing experience, and playing the pitcher position are independent risk factor for mortality in multivariate analyses. Provided that educational attainment is included in the analysis, mortality risk for Hispanic players is about equal to the risk detected among non-Hispanic whites.