Tobacco-Related Health Disparities
Not everyone has an equal opportunity for a healthy and smoke-free life. By identifying disproportionately affected groups, targeted tobacco control strategies can be implemented to help everyone attain their highest health potential.
Social Determinants of Health
Health disparities are reflected through differences in length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; and access to treatment. If a health outcome is seen to a greater or lesser extent between populations, there is disparity.
Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age. These factors affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Some of those factors include economic stability, social and community context,
Facing Tobacco-Related Health Disparities
The California Department of Education has identified the following student groups as having disparately high rates of tobacco use, and potentially higher rates of adverse health outcomes:
- African American/Black
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Latino/Hispanic
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- Students identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ)
- Foster youth
- Students experiencing homelessness
- Students enrolled in non-traditional schools
- Rural communities
- Low-income communities
These groups were identified using statewide data. Not all communities are the same, so it is important to assess your own community and accurately address your local tobacco-use disparities.
When working to reduce these disparities, it is important to consider and address the social determinants of health that may be contributing to their high rates of tobacco use.
