Description of Indicator
The percentage of adults who smoke tobacco or use e-cigarettes (either every day or on some days) is identified. This indicator also measures the percentage of adults who are chronic or binge drinkers. Chronic drinking is defined as consuming an average of two or more alcoholic drinks every day over a 30-day period. Binge drinking is defined for males as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion, or for females as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion.
Why is it important?
Damaging lifestyle behaviors such as cigarette smoking and excessive drinking can lead to various chronic health conditions, including cancer and heart disease. Moreover, substance abuse issues may be linked to and exacerbated by mental health challenges. Tracking these datasets could help highlight the need for prevention programming, identify where and how to target interventions, and assess the effectiveness of such efforts.
How is the region performing?
The percentage of adult tobacco smokers decreased in all three areas throughout the analyzed time period. The smoking rates in the three-county area (Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties) and the four-county area (Pike, Monroe, Susquehanna, and Wayne Counties) have remained above statewide levels.
Additionally, the percentages of chronic drinkers remain significantly lower than those of binge drinkers. The rates of binge drinking and chronic drinking in the four-county area have stayed below statewide rates, while the rates in the three-county area have generally been higher than or on par with statewide rates.