Disparities

Research

Racial disparity in lung cancer rates narrowed in young adults due to larger decrease in smoking
A report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention shows that the disparity in lung cancer rates between blacks and whites is narrowing due to effective smoking prevention strategies targeting black teenagers. Researchers used mortality data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics and the incidence data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program to investigate the relationship between decreased smoking and decreased lung cancer. They found that the increased risk of death from lung cancer in black men compared to white men decreased from over 200% to 28% from 1992 to 2006; among women, the risk diminished from 47% to no increased risk in the same time period. Click here to read more about the study or click here for the abstract.

The disproportionate cost of smoking for African Americans in California
A new study finds that while African Americans comprise only 6% of California’s adult population, they account for over 8% of smoking-attributable healthcare expenditures and productivity losses, and 13% of smoking-attributable mortality costs. The researchers examined the economic impact of smoking on African American Californians in 2002, estimating the costs due to ambulatory care, prescription drugs, inpatient care, and home healthcare using national and state level data. The prevalence of smoking among African American adults in California was 19.3%, compared to 15.4% for all Californians. The healthcare cost was $895 per person for all African Americans and $4,910 per African American smoker, compared with the average of $529 per Californian and $3,773 per Californian smoker. The results suggest that tobacco control programs tailored toward African Americans are needed to resolve the disparity. Click here for the abstract of the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The role of tobacco in cancer health disparities
A paper published in Current Oncology Reports presents an overview of tobacco’s role in cancer-related health disparities. Although smoking prevalence has declined significantly in the United States, tobacco use is disproportionately concentrated among those with low levels of education, income, and occupational status, creating racial/ethnic and socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in tobacco-related cancer incidence and mortality. The paper describes the association of race/ethnicity and SES with smoking prevalence and cessation, disparities in the delivery of tobacco cessation treatments, how population-based tobacco cessation approaches may increase health disparities, and the role of translating studies into clinical practice and health policy to reduce tobacco-related cancer disparities. The paper shows the importance of providing effective and accessible treatments for tobacco dependence to vulnerable populations to reduce health disparities. Click here to read the abstract of the study.

Menthol cigarettes more addictive to U.S. minorities
A new study from the School of Public Health at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) finds that menthol cigarettes may be more addictive than regular cigarettes for black and Hispanic smokers. National Health Interview Survey data from 2005 were used to analyze the quitting habits of 7815 black, white, and Hispanic current and former smokers. Among those that smoked menthol cigarettes, 44% of blacks and 48% of Hispanics were able to successfully quit; those that smoked regular cigarettes had significantly higher quit rates of 62% and 61%, respectively. While non-whites smoked fewer cigarettes per day, they were more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes. Menthol smokers are less likely to be able to quit smoking, so the popularity of menthol cigarettes among minorities may contribute to tobacco-related health disparities. Click here for an article describing the findings or here to read the abstract of the study, published in Preventive Medicine.

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Reports

Newly updated Tribal Smoke-Free Policy Toolkit
The new Tribal Smoke-Free Policy Toolkit [2nd Edition] is now available online from the National Native Commercial Tobacco Abuse Prevention Network (The National Network). The toolkit is a “one-stop shop” for policy-related materials that will assist you in your efforts to plan and implement an effective smokefree policy that is appropriate for your tribal community. The toolkit contains the benefits of smokefree policies, community readiness assessments, sample resolutions and ordinances that you can adapt, camera-ready ads, radio PSA’s, and much more. Click here to access the toolkit. Click here for more information about The National Network’s services, which include technical assistance in developing a tribal smokefree policy or a policy advocacy campaign.

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