The Clinician's Role in Addressing Disparities in Tobacco Use

Although the overall smoking rate in Minnesota is now less than 15%, the rates among certain populations are much higher. For example, 60% of American Indian adults smoke. The rates are also higher for people with low incomes and little education, those who have a mental illness or are substance abusers, and those who are transgender or identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. With more people covered by health insurance and smoking-cessation treatment now included in insurance plans thanks to recent health care reforms, physicians and other members of the health care team have a new opportunity to address tobacco use This article discusses ways they can tailor the discussion as they seek to help patients in populations with the highest smoking rates.