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Tobacco (Early Winter 2009)
Our second topic is "Tobacco". While smoking prevalence in Arizona is on the decline the trend is not the same for people with mental illness. Last year smoking rates fell from over 19% to 15.7%. However, among people diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI), rates have held steady at 75%. In addition, mental health professionals charged with the treatment and care of SMI patients have a higher prevalence rate at 33%, which is double average rate.
We are hoping that this health initiative will motivate individuals to seek consultation with medical and behavioral providers or simply to make changes in their lifestyle that will result in improved whole health.
Resources
Tobacco and Mental Health Educational Handout for Consumers
Links
Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease