Tobacco-Related Disparities in Specific Populations

Research

Left behind: widening disparities for males and females in US county life expectancy, 1985-2010
Researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation recently examined county-level disparities in life expectancy among males and females in the United States. A decrease was found in the number of counties with declining female life expectancy, but widening disparities between counties were observed. Among the many findings, researchers concluded the delayed peaks in female tobacco consumption as compared to males (meaning the peak in smoking prevalence among females occurred more recently than the peak among males) may have contributed to the stagnation or slowed increases of female life expectancy at birth in many counties from 1993 to 2002. The researchers also note there is a need for increased focus on factors affecting health outcomes, such as socioeconomic factors, access to care, and behavioral risk factors. Read more here, or to view the full article in Population Health Metrics, click here.

Smokers with behavioral health comorbidity should be designated a tobacco use disparity group
A recent study in the American Journal of Public Health examines the designation of smokers with behavioral health comorbidity as a disparity group or priority population. Researchers studied how this population fulfills criteria commonly used to identify disparity groups including targeted marketing to the group by the tobacco industry, high smoking prevalence, heavy economic and health burdens, limited access to treatment, and longer durations of smoking. The authors conclude that designating smokers with co-occurring mental illness or substance use disorder will provide needed attention and resources to a largely unaddressed public health need. To view the study abstract, click here.

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Reports

Tobacco use among homeless people – addressing the neglected addiction
A new perspective article in the New England Journal of Medicine presents data on the significant harm people who are homeless experience due to smoking, the challenges in reducing the smoking rate among homeless populations, and the history of tobacco industry targeting of vulnerable groups. The report also provides recommendations for helping people who are homeless in tobacco cessation efforts. The article has an accompanying audio interview with lead author Dr. Travis Baggett of Harvard Medical School about tobacco use and other health problems among homeless people. Click here to read the full article or click here to view the accompanying audio interview.

Americans who smoke suffer emotionally
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index released findings earlier this month comparing well-being among smokers and nonsmokers. The Well-Being Index score is an average of six sub-indexes, which individually examine life evaluation, emotional health, work environment, physical health, healthy behaviors, and access to basic necessities. Smokers were found to have a lower Emotional Health Index Score as compared to nonsmokers, regardless of income. Similarly, the data indicated that smokers are more likely to experience stress, worry and depression as compared to nonsmokers. Researchers also found smokers are less likely to feel positive emotions and be treated with respect as compared to nonsmokers. The index results are based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 83,443 adults aged 18 and over. To read more, click here.

Smoking rate among adults with serious psychological distress remains high
The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality reports on recent data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) showing the smoking rate is much higher among persons with mental illness than among those who do not have mental illness. Between 1997 and 2011, current smoking among adults without serious psychological distress (SPD) declined steadily. Over the same time period, current smoking among adults with SPD did not decline. The researchers conclude that mental health providers should assess whether their patients hope to quit smoking. The report also provides resources for mental health providers. Click here to read more.

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