Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104115

Holli Hitt, Robert McMillen, PhD, and Arthur G. Cosby, PhD. Social Science Research Center, PO Box 5287, Mississippi State, MS 39762, 662-325-4802, holli.hitt@ssrc.msstate.edu

Context: Prevalence of preventable diseases is particularly high among inhabitants of the Mississippi Delta Region. Because exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is a major contributor to the development of preventable diseases, examining the social climate surrounding ETS among inhabitants of this region could inform efforts to change public policy.

Objective: This study contrasted the social climate surrounding ETS between Americans residing in rural counties in the multi-state Mississippi Delta Region and rural respondents outside this 240-county area.

Design: Data were collected via telephone interviews administered to a representative sample of 3171 civilian, noninstitutionalized adults over age 18 in the United States. Households were selected using random digit dialing procedures.

Findings: Compared to their rural non-Delta counterparts, residents of rural counties in the Mississippi Delta Region were less likely to be protected from ETS in public areas such as shopping malls, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and other restaurants. Delta respondents' attitudes about ETS and knowledge of negative effects associated with ETS exposure, however, were very similar to those of non-Delta residents. This suggests that differences in smoking restrictions in Delta counties and non-Delta counties may be attributable to a lack of policy rather than a lack of political will.

Conclusions: This research suggests that programs implemented to reduce the effects of ETS in the Mississippi Delta Region should place emphasis on policies aimed at controlling and eliminating ETS exposure, in addition to programs designed to increase knowledge and shape attitudes about the harmful effects of ETS.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to

• Understand the special health protection needs of rural populations in the Mississippi River Delta
• Recognize the potential of a social climate approach for tobacco control
• Discuss the policy implications of the data for the Delta region

Keywords: Rural Populations,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.