The effects of tobacco control programs on ethnic health disparities has not been assessed. So we assessed associations between California's tobacco control program (Proposition 99 which greatly reduced smoking and, it appears, mortality in California since 1989) and disparities in 1) California vs other US black mortality and 2) California black vs all-race mortality.
Methods: Adult age-adjusted mortality rates (rates) were prepared for California and US black and total mortality for 1979-1997, using the 1990 US standard.
Results. Since initiation of Proposition 99 in 1989, California black mortality has fallen substantially. California black mortality rates fell from 5% to 3% above California all-race mortality and from 26% below to 30% below non-California US black mortality rates (p=NS).
Comments. California's Proposition 99 tobacco control programs are temporally associated with modest reductions in health disparities in blacks versus others in California, and increases in disparities between California and non-California black mortality. Though only approaching statistical significance, these results provide modest support for improving tobacco control programs outside California as a means to reduce black mortality disparities a) between California and the remaining US, and b) versus other ethnicities.
Learning Objectives: Describe trends in mortality disparities between blacks and other Californians. Describe trends in mortality disparities between black Californians and other US blacks
Keywords: Tobacco Control, Ethnic Minorities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.