Gender, Tobacco Control Policies, and Persistent Smoking Among Older Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis of 11 European Countries

The effects of community education on tobacco use among older adults in China

INTRODUCTION

Smoking among older adults is increasingly linked to chronic diseases and higher mortality rates. However, the influence of community education on smoking behavior in older adults remains understudied. This research examines the causal effect of community education on smoking habits of older adults in China.

METHODS

We use four waves of longitudinal secondary data (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), covering adult children aged 22-58 years and their parents aged ≥60 years. A two-stage least squares (2SLS) model is applied to estimate the causal impact of community education on smoking behaviors among older adults, using exposure to the 1986 Compulsory Schooling Law as an instrumental variable. Mechanism and subgroup analyses are further conducted to validate and interpret the estimated effects.

RESULTS

This study includes 26489 adults aged ≥60 years. Community education significantly reduces the likelihood of ever smoking (β= -0.030; 95% CI: -0.048 - -0.012), current smoking (β= -0.020; 95% CI: -0.038 - -0.003), and the number of cigarettes (β= -0.038; 95% CI: -0.075 - -0.001). Mediation analysis indicates that these effects are partially explained by intergenerational support, well-being, and mental health. Among ever smokers, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score shows the largest indirect effect (β=0.0004; 95% CI: 0.0000-0.0010), accounting for 3.5% of the total effect, followed by contact with children (β= -0.0003; 95% CI: -0.0010 - -0.0000; 1.8%) and optimism (β= -0.0001; 95% CI: -0.0002 - -0.0000; 0.7%). For smoking intensity, CES-D remains the only significant mediator (β=0.0008; 95% CI: -0.0003-0.0010), explaining 4% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Community education plays a crucial role in lowering smoking rates among older adults. Policymakers should prioritize educational programs and enhance healthcare services to reduce smoking and improve public health outcomes for aging populations.

Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer among older adults: thirty-year global burden trends, precision medicine breakthroughs, and lingering barriers

BACKGROUND

Tracheal, bronchial, and lung (TBL) cancer presents significant health challenges for individuals aged 70 and older. However, comprehensive insights into the epidemiological patterns of and risk factors for TBL cancer in this population remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the global, regional, and national burdens and trends of TBL cancer patients aged ≥ 70 years from 1990-2021.

METHODS

The incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for TBL cancer patients aged ≥ 70 years from 1990-2021 were obtained from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study. Global trends were stratified age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Decomposition analysis identified the primary drivers of burden changes, and a global risk attribution analysis was conducted. The Bayesian Age‒Period‒Cohort (BAPC) model forecasted trends over the next 14 years. The analyses were performed with Joinpoint software and the R software.

RESULTS

From 1990-2021, the ASIRs, ASMRs, and ASDRs of TBL cancer among patients ≥ 70 years increase significantly, mainly due to aging and population growth. In the precision medicine era (2015-2021), these indicators for both sexes and males have declined, but the burden among females has increased. The burden varies across regions, with the incidence of TBL cancer increasing more severely in middle-SDI regions, East Asia, and western sub-Saharan Africa, whereas high-SDI regions have shown a decline after peaking. Although the DALY proportion of smoking decreased, it was still the main cause of TBL cancer. However, the burden of environmental particulate pollution has increased. The BAPC model predicted that in the future, the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR for males and both sexes would decrease, whereas these indicators would either remain stable or increase among females.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of TBL cancer is increasing significantly among patients aged ≥ 70 years. Despite new hopes and approaches from precision medicine, environmental and behavioral factors still critically influence the TBL cancer burden. Future strategies could enhance subgroup-specific management and promote effective control of known risk factors.

Global trends in the burden of ischemic heart disease attributable to smoking from 1990 to 2021: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

INTRODUCTION

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. This study evaluates the trends in IHD burden attributable to smoking, utilizing Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) data, across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. By examining age-standardized death rates (ASDR) and disability-adjusted life years (ASRDALYs), the study provides insights into the spatiotemporal variations associated with smokingattributable IHD in different sociodemographic regions.

METHODS

Data on smoking-attributable IHD mortality and DALYs were obtained from the GBD 2021 database. This secondary analysis examined ASDR and ASRDALYs for IHD as primary outcomes, with active smoking as the primary exposure. Temporal trends were analyzed using estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs). The burden was stratified by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI) to identify disparities across regions.

RESULTS

Over the last three decades, global ASDR and ASRDALYs for smokingrelated IHD have generally declined. High-SDI regions had the largest reductions, with EAPCs of -4.31 (95% CI: -5.73 - -2.87) and -4.02 (95% CI: -5.40 - -2.62), respectively. In contrast, low-SDI regions experienced slower declines, with EAPCs of -0.54 (95% CI: -1.41-0.33) and -0.80 (95% CI: -1.52 - -0.08), respectively. Older age groups and males consistently had a higher burden across all regions. Global death rates for populations aged 15-49, 50-74, and ≥75 years were 4.31, 46.57, and 142.52 per 100000, respectively. The global ASDR for males (30.24) was 8.54 times higher than that for females (3.54). Regional disparities were most pronounced in low- and middle-income areas, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where smoking related IHD burden remains high.

CONCLUSIONS

While global reductions in smoking-related IHD burden are encouraging, sustained disparities remain, particularly in low-SDI regions. Males and older populations continue to have a disproportionately higher burden, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and sustained efforts to address these inequities.

Trends of ischemic heart disease mortality attributable to smoking in the five countries with the highest number of smokers during 1990-2019: an age-period-cohort analysis

Introduction

Smoking increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic heart disease (IHD). This study aimed to assess the impact of age, period, and cohort on long-term trends in IHD mortality in China, India, Indonesia, the United States, and Russia, the five countries with the highest number of smokers, from 1990 to 2019.

Material and methods

The data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019, and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) was calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess the magnitude and direction of trends in smoking-attributable mortality from IHD. Age-period-cohort (APC) studies were used to estimate net drift (estimated annual percentage change (EAPC)s), local drift (age-specific EAPCs), and independent trends in age, period, and cohort effects.

Results

The analysis revealed a significant downward trend in ASMRs attributable to IHD as a result of smoking in the United States, India, and Russia. Indonesia and China showed an upward trend. Age effects were increasing for both country and sex, with China showing the most significant increase in the older age group; period effects were decreasing in all countries except Indonesia, and cohort effects were increasing only in Indonesia and China.

Conclusions

From 1990 to 2019, mortality from IHD caused by smoking showed a downward trend in these five countries. However, the pattern of increased mortality from IHD in women caused by smoking warrants further study.

Social Participation and Persistent Smoking Among Older Chinese With Smoking-Related Morbidity

OBJECTIVES

Chronic diseases are common in midlife and old age and smoking can pose more health and longevity challenges for older people with chronic illnesses. In China where smoking is highly prevalent, older adults are likely to continue smoking even after developing severe chronic diseases. We examined the national prevalence of persistent smoking among older adults. We also investigated the sociodemographic characteristics of persistent smoking among ever-smokers with chronic diseases and its association with social participation (of various types).

METHODS

We used data from a nationally representative sample of older adults aged 45-80 in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011-2018). Multinomial logistic and multilevel logistic models were fitted.

RESULTS

The national prevalence of persistent smoking was around 24% of older men and 3% of older women. Among those with a history of smoking and chronic illness, younger, nonmarried/partnered, nonretired, or less educated individuals are more likely to continue smoking. Social participation is significantly associated with persistent smoking among those with chronic diseases, but the association differs across different forms of activities. Although the most popular but sedentary activities in China (playing Mahjong, chess, or cards) are associated with an elevated risk of persistent smoking, physical social activities (community-organized dancing, fitness, and qigong) are associated with a reduced risk of persistent smoking.

DISCUSSION

Given the enormous burden of persistent smoking on individuals and society, public smoking cessation inventions should address sociocultural factors of persistent smoking and target older adults who participate in specific social activities.