HPIO brief explores health value, tobacco use connection

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released A Closer Look at Tobacco Use and Health Value.

Building on the work of HPIO’s 2017 Health Value Dashboard, the brief explores tobacco use and its impact on population health and healthcare spending.

According to the Dashboard, Ohio ranks near the bottom in adult cigarette smoking (43) and secondhand smoke exposure for children (49) out of the 50 states plus D.C. Analysis of Dashboard data found that states with a lower adult smoking rate are more likely to have a better health value rank.

The brief also highlights the impact of smoking on Medicaid costs and outlines evidence-based approaches that work to reduce smoking rates.