Learning Objectives: Describe the comparison between depression diagnosed and nondiagnosed people concerning smoking and related health factors and also discuss the urgent need for targeted smoking cessation treatments.
Abstract: People diagnosed with mental disorders face increased stress and stigmatization, and not surprisingly, they have higher smoking rates. However, the nature of the relationship between smoking and mental illness is poorly understood. For example, research is needed to delineate the causal relationship between smoking and mental illness, to study associations of these behaviors with other aspects of health, and to develop and evaluate appropriate interventions. This current population-based study focuses on describing the relationship between smoking and depression. Results indicate that people who self-report ever having a diagnosis of depression in comparison with nondiagnosed individuals are significantly more likely to be current smokers (29% vs 17%), former smokers (42% vs 31%), and exposed to secondhand smoke both inside (20% vs 11%) and outside of the home (20% vs 14%). Results indicate that people with a diagnosis of depression are significantly more likely to suffer from a heart disorder diagnosis (17% vs 7%), a chronic respiratory condition (13% vs 4%), and an asthma attack in the past 12 months (59% vs 42%). On a more positive note, people with a diagnosis of depression are significantly more likely to have made at least one quit attempt in the past 12 months (64% vs 48%). High smoking rates combined with evidence of smoking-related health conditions indicate that smoking cessation treatments targeted to individuals with mental disorders are urgently needed.
Back to Poster Session
Back to Increasing Diversity/Eliminating Disparities
Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health