The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50168

David Mudarri¹, Kathleen Cunningham, PhD², Christine Houle², and Mark Heil, PhD¹. (1) Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 501 3rd St. N.W., Washington, DC 20005, (2) Environmental Research Area, Abt Associates, 55 Wheeler St., Cambridge, MA 02138, (617) 349-2776, mudarri.david@epa.gov

This study estimated the medical costs likely to be incurred by managed care organizations (MCOs) and other insurers by the health effects in children that are caused by second hand smoke (ETS). This was done as a first step in identifying the potential savings that could be obtained through programs that reduce children=s exposure to ETS. Medical costs were estimated for asthma, coughs, ear infections, lower respiratory infections, and tonsillectomies/adenoidectomies attributable to ETS exposure. Estimates of illness incidence attributable to ETS were combined with data on health care services associated with each illness, and data on the unit cost for each service. The annual national medical cost for childhood illnesses attributable to ETS for the United States is estimated to be in excess of $800 million, of which approximately $500 million is born by MCOs. This constitutes a substantial burden and suggests there is significant potential for medical cost savings through programs that reduce childhood exposure to ETS.

Learning Objectives: This poster (or presentation) will enable the participant to

• describe the health impacts of ETS on children
• articulate the direct medical costs associated with those impacts
• articulate cost-effective arguments for smoking cessation programs and ETS control

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Managed Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.