 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
John T. Wulu, PhD1, Jun Liu, PhD2, Margaret Z Byron, MS2, J. Anne Pope, MPH3, Jean Yoon4, and Leiyu Shi, DrPH, MBA5. (1) Office of Data, Evaluation, Analysis & Research, Bureau of Primary Health Care, HRSA/DHHS, 4350 East West Highway, 7th floor, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-594-3730, jwulu@hrsa.gov, (2) Research Division, Research Triangle Institute International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (3) Bureau of Primary Health Care, HRSA, 4350 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (4) Office of Data, Evaluation, Analysis, and Research, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration, 4350 East-West Highway, 7th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814, (5) Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Room 409, Baltimore, MD 21212
Tobacco use is the most widespread form of drug dependence and a leading cause of preventable death and morbidity worldwide. In 1994, the US Surgeon General’s report addressed the importance of preventing tobacco use among vulnerable populations. Health centers provide primary care access and services to vulnerable populations in US communities. This study examined the distribution of demographic and social determinants of CHC user smoking by socioeconomic characteristics and smoking status. It estimated the prevalence and correlates of tobacco use among users of CHC and those of selected comparison group. It also examined whether the factors associated with tobacco use in CHCs are congruent with factors observed in the low-income population from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Methods: Data from users aged at least 18 years old from the 1995/2002 CHC user/visit surveys and low-income adult respondents of the 1994/2000 NHIS. Univariate analysis was used to describe health determinants of tobacco use. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate possible tobacco use effects on socio-demographic characteristics, health status, selected chronic disease status, limitation of activity, alcohol use, and usual source of care. Results: Tobacco use among users of CHC is significantly lower than the low-income US population. Disparities exist in the smoking patterns of CHC users and NHIS subgroups. Conclusions: It is essential that public health professionals are cognizant of the prevalence and correlates of smokers and tobacco users. There should be encouragement of prevention activities regarding tobacco use in youth and adulthood.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Access and Services, Smoking
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.