Description of Indicator
The percentage of adults who are currently smoking tobacco or E-cigarettes (every day or some days) is identified. This indicator also measures the percentage of adults who are chronic or binge drinkers. Chronic drinking is indicated as adults who consume an average of two or more alcoholic drinks every day in the past 30 days. Binge drinking is defined as males consuming five or more alcoholic drinks or females consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion.
Why is it important?
Damaging lifestyle behaviors like cigarette smoking and excessive drinking can lead to a variety of chronic health conditions like cancer or heart disease. It is crucial for communities to have accessible therapeutic and rehabilitation options as these daily behaviors have become a widespread public health issue. Substance abuse issues can be caused by and correlated with mental health challenges.
How is the region performing?
The percentage of adult tobacco smokers decreased over the time periods analyzed for the three geographies. The rate of smokers in the three-county area (Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming) and the four-county area (Pike, Monroe, Susquehanna, and Wayne) have remained above statewide levels. Additionally, the percentage of chronic drinkers was significantly lower than that of binge drinkers. The rate of binge drinkers in the four-county area has been slightly below the rate of binge drinkers in the three-county area and Pennsylvania.