This paper presents evidence to substantiate the argument that statistics on illness and mortality rates should be broken down by separate sex-race groups of white male, white female, nonwhite male, and nonwhite female in order to accurately describe the inequalities of rates for death and illness experienced by these groups. Data were collected from 1963 to 1970 for a large national sample of normal, noninstitutionalized youth between the ages of 6 and 17 years. The resulting information on health status, health histories and experiences in the home, school and community was examined for differences among the four groups in health-related variables at adolescence. Groups were found to differ by race, rather than sex on a Health Status Exam measure which consisted of a physician's examination, a dental examination and laboratory and clinical measures; the ratings for white youth were higher than those of black youth. Neither race nor sex differences seemed great on a Health-Home measure which consisted of a parent interview concerning their children's health history. Differences by both race and sex were apparent with respect to the youths' self-ratings on a questionnaire of their health status. Boys' ratings were higher than girls' in both race groups, but nonwhites ratings were higher than whites. The female groups ranked above both male groups on a School-Health measure. (Author/SS)