Note: This week is National Public Health Week. This week I have a five-part public health series that explores the vast network of programs and services that help improve the health and wellness of all Arizonans. We have several public awareness campaigns and resources that help Arizonans in making decisions that positively affect their health. [...]
Most people associate lung cancer with tobacco use, but using tobacco can cause several other types of cancers. Using tobacco increases the risk for cancers of the mouth, lips, nose and sinuses, larynx (voice box) pharynx (throat), esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, colon/rectum, and ovary (mucinous), as well as acute myeloid [...]
Quitting smoking is one of the hardest addictions to break, but it’s not impossible . A new year brings a sense of renewal and that’s why so many smokers make the resolution to quit. For some it’s a second, third or even tenth chance at kicking the habit. That sense of failure, or [...]
The successful smoke-free programs we have been working on in Arizona for people living in multi-unit housing have been expanded nationwide. Over the last several years, three Arizona organizations, the Arizona Smoke-Free Living Coalition, American Lung Association in Arizona, and the Arizona Multihousing Association, under the leadership of our Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease, [...]
The American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative recently released the findings from its from its third annual Women’s Lung Health Barometer. The Lung Association estimates that almost 4,000 women in Arizona and more than 106,000 in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016. Our Chronic Disease Office in the Bureau of [...]
Last week we released our new public awareness campaign, Vape is a Lie, that teaches kids in Arizona about the potential dangers of using e-cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that can have several negative effects on your health. There is no safe level of nicotine for children. After the release of the campaign, [...]
Last week we announced that the adult smoking rate in Arizona is at an all-time low. New data from the CDC shows the 2015 adult smoking rate in Arizona dropped to a historic low of 14 percent, down from 19.3 percent in 2011. This decrease translates to more than 200,000 Arizonans who quit smoking over [...]
We’re seeing a downward trend in Arizona with youth tobacco prevalence that is similar to the national trend , according to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey. The percentage of Arizona’s high school youth who have ever tried smoking has decreased from 46.5 percent in 2011 to 37 percent in 2015, a decrease of almost 20 [...]
Arizona continues to be among the nation's leaders in tobacco control and is ranked in the top ten in several categories, including tobacco use among adults, youth, and pregnant women. According to national and state surveys, tobacco use declined in the past year by an estimated 40,000 adults and 13,000 high school aged youth. Likewise, [...]
Part two of the blog series on healthy New Year’s resolutions focuses on quitting smoking and getting screened for cancer. Be sure to take a look at the blog that can help you eat healthier and be more active. Quit Smoking Quitting smoking can add years to your life, and life to your years! But [...]
