Ethnic disparities in the use of nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation in an equal access health care system

Steven S. Fu, Scott E. Sherman, Elizabeth M. Yano, Michelle Van Ryn, Andy B. Lanto, Anne M. Joseph

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose. To examine ethnic variations in the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in an equal access health care system. Design. Cross-sectional survey. Setting. Eighteen Veterans Affairs medical and ambulatory care centers. Subjects. A cohort of male current smokers (n = 1606). Measures. Use of NRT (nicotine patch or nicotine gum), ethnicity, sociodemographics, health status, smoking-related history, and facility prescribing policy. Results. Overall, only 34% of African-American and 26% of Hispanic smokers have ever used NRT as a cessation aid compared with 50% of white smokers. In the past year, African-American smokers were most likely to have attempted quitting. During a serious past-year quit attempt, however, African-American and Hispanic smokers reported lower rates of NRT use than white smokers (20% vs. 22% vs. 34%, respectively, p = .001). In multivariate analyses, ethnicity was independently associated with NRT use during a past-year quit attempt. Compared with white smokers, African-American (adjusted odds ratio, .53; 95% confidence interval, .34-.83) and Hispanic (adjusted odds ratio, .55; 95% confidence interval, .28-1.08) smokers were less likely to use NRT. Conclusions. Assessment of variations in use of NRT demonstrates that African-American and Hispanic smokers are less likely to use NRT during quit attempts. Future research is needed on the relative contributions of patient, physician, and system features to gaps in guideline implementation to provide treatment for ethnic minority smokers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)108-116
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Disparities
  • Nicotine Replacement Therapy
  • Prevention Research
  • Smoking Cessation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ethnic disparities in the use of nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation in an equal access health care system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this