Regional variation in tobacco use: A community health survey of urban, suburban and rural households

Public Health Management Corporation's Community Health Data Base Household Health Survey has been conducted since 1983. Historically, the Survey has been administered to 10,000 households in Philadelphia and the four surrounding suburban counties. Along with demographic, health status, and access to care indicators, the Survey provides detailed data on current and past tobacco use, including use of tobacco products, exposure to tobacco smoke pollution, and cessation methods. In 2008, a modified Survey was conducted with 3,000 adults in three rural adjacent counties, in addition to the original five counties, providing a comprehensive look at tobacco data across the entire Southeastern Pennsylvania region, one of Pennsylvania's six Community Health Districts.

Preliminary findings from the 2008 Survey data show geographic differences as well as regional commonalities. For example, wide variation emerges in current cigarette use (urban, 27.3%; suburban, 16.2%; rural 21.3%). However, in all parts of the region, about half of all adults have been smokers at some point and about half of all smokers have tried to quit in the past year. Additional data on other indicators, such as chronic disease status and health professional advice to quit, will also be explored. Demographic data on income, education, and gender will be controlled for in geographic analyses.

By presenting a uniquely detailed look at an entire Community Health District, this data will aid the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Tobacco Control Project in tobacco control program planning.