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.

• Authors: Ellen J Hahn, Mary Kay Rayens, Sarah Adkins, Nick Simpson, Susan Frazier, David M Mannino
• Journal: American journal of public health (Am J Public Health) Vol. 104 Issue 6 Pg. 1059-65 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1541-0048 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24825207 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
• Female
• Hospitalization (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Kentucky (epidemiology)
• Length of Stay (statistics & numerical data)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Public Policy
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (epidemiology, therapy)
• Smoke-Free Policy