Fewer hospitalizations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in communities with smoke-free public policies

E.J. Hahn, M.K. Rayens, S. Adkins, N. Simpson, S. Frazier and D.M. Mannino

American Journal of Public Health, 2014, vol. 104, issue 6, 1059-1065

Abstract: Objectives. We determined the impact of smoke-free municipal public policies on hospitalizations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods. We conducted a secondary analysis of hospital discharges with a primary diagnosis of COPD in Kentucky between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2011 using Poisson regression. We compared the hospitalization rates of regions with and without smoke-free laws, adjusting for personal and population covariates, seasonality, secular trends over time, and geographic region. Results. Controlling for covariates such as sex, age, length of stay, race/ ethnicity, education, income, and urban-rural status, among others, we found that those living in a community with a comprehensive smoke-free law or regulation were 22% less likely to experience hospitalizations for COPD than those living in a community with a moderate-weak law or no law. Those living in a community with an established law were 21% less likely to be hospitalized for COPD than those with newer laws or no laws. Conclusions. Strong smoke-free public policiesmayprovide protection against COPD hospitalizations, particularly after 12 months, with the potential to save lives and decrease health care costs.

Keywords: aged; article; behavioral risk factor surveillance system; chronic obstructive lung disease; female; hospitalization; human; length of stay; male; middle aged; policy; smoking ban; statistics; United States; very elderly, Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Kentucky; Length of Stay; Male; Middle Aged; Public Policy; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Smoke-Free Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.301887_2

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.301887

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