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BMC Public Health

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Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Recent trends in exposure to secondhand smoke in the United States population

Authors: Chieh-I Chen, Tanya Burton, Christine L Baker, Vera Mastey, David Mannino

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Background

Previous research using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) data documented a significant downward trend in secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure between 1988 and 2002. The objective of this study was to assess whether the downward trend in exposure continued from 2001 through 2006.

Methods

We analyzed data from the 2001-2006 NHANES to estimate exposure of nonsmokers to SHS. Geometric means of serum cotinine levels for all nonsmokers were computed.

Results

Overall serum cotinine levels (95% Confidence Intervals) in 2001-2002, 2003-2004, and 2005-2006 were 0.06 ng/mL (0.05-0.07), 0.07 ng/mL (0.06-0.09), and 0.05 ng/mL (0.05-0.06), respectively. Subgroup analysis by age, gender, and race/ethnicity groups showed similar trends in cotinine levels. Children, males, and non-Hispanic Blacks had higher cotinine levels than adults, females, and non-Hispanic Whites and Mexican Americans, respectively. Insignificant P values from the Wald test indicate that serum cotinine levels did not differ over time.

Conclusions

The long-term trend of declining exposure to SHS among nonsmokers appears to have leveled off. However, disparities noted in previous research persist today, with the young, non-Hispanic Blacks, and males experiencing higher levels of exposure.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/359/prepub

Title: Recent trends in exposure to secondhand smoke in the United States population
Authors: Chieh-I Chen
Tanya Burton
Christine L Baker
Vera Mastey
David Mannino
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-359

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Recent trends in exposure to secondhand smoke in the United States population

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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