Decreased smoking rates correlate with wealth

Jon Macy

Indiana Public Media recently ran a story that discussed findings by University of Washington showing that smoking rates are declining in wealthier counties faster than poorer counties.

Indiana University Department of Applied Health Science associate professor Jon Macy was consulted to provide his expert opinion. Based on his assessment, he says says he’s not surprised by the findings.

“We failed in terms of delivering interventions to those high risk groups in our communities and we need to do a better job,” Macy said.

He says the study provides the data needed to better develop strategies of reducing smoking rates on a local level that would engage with socio-economic groups who would benefit the most from targeted anti-smoking activities.

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