title: Medical costs of secondhand-smoke exposure in North Carolina.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The health hazards of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) are well-defined. Less is known about the economic costs. We performed an analysis of the medical costs of SHS in North Carolina that was based on a similar study conducted in Minnesota.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used 2006 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina claims data and national and state surveillance data to calculate the treated prevalence of medical conditions that have been found to be related to exposure to SHS, as established by a 2006 report from the US surgeon general. We used the population attributable risk for these conditions to calculate the number of individuals whose episodes of illness could be attributed to exposure to SHS. We adjusted these treatment costs for other types of insurance provided in the state, using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total annual cost of treatment for conditions related to SHS exposure in North Carolina was estimated to be $293,304,430, in 2009 inflation-adjusted dollars. Sensitivity analysis showed a range of $208.2 million to $386.3 million. The majority of individuals affected were children, but the greatest costs were for cardiovascular conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cost data provide additional rationale for regulating smoking in all work sites and public places.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1931, USA.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plescia
authors.forename: Daryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wansink
authors.forename: Hugh R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herndon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution