Smoking Epidemiology

What is epidemiology?

The study of the distribution & determinants of health related states and events in populations and the application if this study to control health problems.

What are the 3 main types of epidemiology?

• Descriptive - how things are distributed?

• Analytical - how can we exploit those distributions to ask questions?

• Experimental - change those distributions to see what happens.

What impact does smoking have on disease?

• LUNG CANCER - 85% linked to smoking, smokers 22x more likely to develop lung cancer

• IHD - smokers 2-4x more likely to suffer

• STROKE - 10.5% of deaths

• COPD - 90% of cases linked to smoking (38% of deaths)

Why do statistics matter in public health?

• they convert data into meaningful evidence

• identify at risk groups, trends and inequalities

• support heath policy and clinical decisions

What are measures of disease frequency?

• PREVELANCE - proportion of population with the condition (existing cases)

• INCIDENCE - new cases in a population over a period of time

How do you calculate incidence?

number of new cases within a period/ number of patients initially free of disease

*only include those at risk of getting disease

what can cause changes in incidence of disease?

• contraction of the disease

• migration of people with disease

How do you calculate prevalence?

Number of existing cases of disease at a particular point in time/ total population

How many people smoke worldwide?

1.1bn

What is the prevalence of smoking globally?

22% of adults

33% male : 7% female

How many deaths does smoking cause annually (WHO 2023)?

8.7 mill

Smoking trend in HICs

Steep declines (although more prevalent than LICs)

Smoking trends in LMICs?

Stable and rising

National trend in smoking prevalence?

ONS reports a 7% fall in smoking (2011-2023)

Regional variation of smoking - highest vs lowest?

• NE = highest prevalence of 17.6 %

• SE = lowest prevalence of 10%

Socioeconomic gradient - Most vs least deprived?

25% in most deprived vs 8% in least deprived

Which age group is smoking most prevalent in the UK?

25-34 age category/group = 16% prevalence

What are the main benefits of understanding epidemiology?

• Reveals global/UK patterns of inequality - can be used as evidence to inform public health decisions

• Helps to guide health promotion, policy and clinical interventions