Disparities in smoking cessation between African Americans and Whites: 1990-2000.
OBJECTIVE
We examined disparities in smoking cessation rates between African Americans and Whites from 1990 through 2000.


METHODS
We performed an analysis of smoking cessation with data from the National Health Interview Surveys of 30660 African Americans and 209828 Whites, 18 to 64 years old, with adjustment for covariates in multiple logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Whites were significantly more likely than African Americans to be former smokers, and this disparity in the quit ratio persisted from 1990 through 2000. After adjustment for covariates, disparities were substantially reduced especially among women. Among former smokers, African Americans were significantly more likely than Whites to have quit successfully within the past 10 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Statistical adjustment for covariates reduces African American-White disparities in quit ratios, and recent cessation patterns suggest possible future reductions in disparities.
King
Gary
G
Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, 315 East Health and Human Development, University Park, PA 16802, USA. gxk14@psu.edu
Polednak
Anthony
A
Bendel
Robert B
RB
Vilsaint
My C
MC
Nahata
Sunny B
SB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000208:ethnology*; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*