Fewer Hospitalizations for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Communities With Smoke-Free Public Policies
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 policies may provide protection against COPD hospitalizations, particularly after 12 months, with the potential to save lives and decrease health care costs.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2014
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.301887
Funding Information
This work was supported by the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute.
Repository Citation
Hahn, Ellen J.; Rayens, Mary Kay; Adkins, Sarah; Simpson, Nick; Frazier, Susan; and Mannino, David M., "Fewer Hospitalizations for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Communities With Smoke-Free Public Policies" (2014). Nursing Faculty Publications. 25.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/nursing_facpub/25
Notes/Citation Information
Published in American Journal of Public Health, v. 104, no. 6, p. 1059-1065.
© American Public Health Association 2014