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. In Solano County, communities are enacting Tobacco Retail Licenses (TRL), smoke-free multi-unit housing, smoke free parks/areas and smoking bans.
Health Equity
"When every person has the opportunity to 'attain his or her full health potential' and no one is 'disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determine circumstances" - Center for Disease Control
"Health Equity is achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being" - World Health Organization
Health Disparities
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 a disparity.
Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health are the conditions in the places 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. Factors may include economic stability, social and community context, neighborhood and environment, health care, and education. They are unfair but avoidable differences in health among social groups and can be seen within and between countries around the world.
According to the California Department of Education the following students groups are identified has having disparately high rates of tobacco use, therefore, a potentially higher rate of adverse health outcomes:
- African American/Black
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Latino/Hispanic
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- Foster youth
- Students experiencing homelessness
- Non-traditional students
- Rural communities
- Low-socioeconomic communities
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ+)
*Statewide data was used to identify groups above. Not all communities are the same*
HEALTH EQUITY AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
HEALTH EQUITY AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Tobacco use has steadily declined since the 1960's, and while youth smoking rates are at an all time low this does not ring true across groups defined by race, ethnicity, education level, socioeconomic status, and/or geography. Tobacco companies have continued to strategically market products, targeting racial and ethnic communities.
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TRIBAL COMMUNITIES
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES
Nearly, one in three native adults in California smoke, the highest smoking rate in the state, and the only group with smoking rates increasing.
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) youth (and adults) smoke at a significantly higher rate than the general population. According to 2018 data, 25.2% of transgender, 16.4% of lesbian or gay and 15.5% of bisexual California High School Students used tobacco products compared to 12% of their straight peers.
PREGNANT AND PARENTING MINORS
PREGNANT AND PARENTING MINORS
PREGNANT AND PARENTING MINORS
Pregnant minors and minor parents are an important focus of TUPE resources, as any tobacco use can directly impact their child's development (especially during pregnancy). Prevention, intervention, and cessation services are specifically tailored for this population to help them understand the consequences of exposing their children to tobacco products and to assist them with quitting tobacco.
