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Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Pediatric Healthcare Visits and Hospitalizations

Ashley L Merianos1, Roman A Jandarov2, E Melinda Mahabee-Gittens3

  • 1School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|May 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

High secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) in children significantly increases emergency department visits and hospital stays. Interventions to reduce SHSe are crucial in healthcare settings.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health Policy

Background:

  • Secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) is a significant environmental health risk for children.
  • Assessing the link between SHSe and healthcare utilization is vital for public health.
  • Serum cotinine levels provide a reliable biomarker for quantifying SHSe.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) and healthcare utilization in children.
  • To determine if SHSe influences the likelihood of having a routine healthcare provider.
  • To examine the relationship between SHSe and various measures of hospital utilization.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009-2012.
  • Inclusion of 4,985 children aged 3-19 years.
  • Logistic and Poisson regression models to assess associations between SHSe and healthcare utilization, including emergency department visits and hospital admissions.

Main Results:

  • High SHSe was significantly associated with increased likelihood of emergency department use (3.49 times).
  • Children with high SHSe were more likely to have overnight hospital stays (2.85 times) and higher numbers of admissions.
  • Among asthmatic children, SHSe (both high and low) correlated with increased acute care visits and hospitalizations.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated secondhand smoke exposure in children is linked to greater healthcare utilization.
  • Healthcare settings, particularly emergency departments and inpatient facilities, are key opportunities for SHSe reduction interventions.
  • Routine screening and intervention for SHSe are recommended in pediatric healthcare.
Abstract

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