Adult American Smokers Keep Smoking
Despite the fact that Americans’ access to basic necessities, such as food, medicine, shelter, and healthcare has reached a four-year low of 81.2 percent this October, 21.1 percent of adult Americans continue to smoke, according to new data pertaining to adult Americans 18 years or older from the October 2011 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index(R) (WBI). This marks the third month in a row that the percentage of Americans who smoke has reached 21 percent.
The results of the WBI basic access index indicates the impact that smoking costs may be having on the nation’s healthcare system. Even as the average cost of healthcare is poised to continue to increase(1), 30 percent of Americans who have not had enough money to pay for healthcare and/or medicine in the past 12 months are smokers. The percentage of smokers is cut in half (14.2 percent) when it comes to the population that can afford to pay for healthcare and/or medicine in the past 12 months. Of the Americans without a personal doctor, 27.5 percent smoke.
“As the economic burden of smoking continues to greatly affect the US healthcare system and the productivity of our businesses and communities, more employers are turning to mandates and incentives to get their employees to curb their nicotine addiction,” said Ben Leedle, Jr., Healthways President and CEO. “The October WBI smoking and basic access numbers reveal an alarming disparity in the US population, and show an immediate need for individuals to take steps to improve their own well-being, proactively controlling these costs.”
October data also reveals that of the 20 percent of Americans that did not have enough money to buy food within the past 12 months, 34.9 percent are smokers. The percentage of Americans who smoke drops drastically down to 13.8 percent for those who can afford to buy food. The same pattern is observed when looking at those who did/did not have enough money to provide adequate shelter in the past 12 months.
About The Author
Comments