Tobacco use among foster youth: Evidence of health disparities |
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Institution: | 1. Decision Sciences Institute, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 1005 Main St., Suite 8120, Pawtucket, RI 02906, USA;2. Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Box G-S121-4, Providence, RI 02912, USA;1. Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo, Canada;2. School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Canada;3. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Canada;1. Portland State University, USA;2. Oregon State University, USA;1. RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, PO Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, United States of America;2. RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2665, United States of America |
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Abstract: | Youth aging out of foster care face a challenging road to independence. Following exposure to myriad risk factors such as abuse, neglect, parental substance use, and severe housing mobility, supportive services decrease upon exit from care, often increasing risk for substance use, homelessness, and unemployment. Although tobacco use is also highly prevalent, little attention has been paid to screening, assessment, and treatment of tobacco use in this vulnerable group. The current study (N = 116) reports on tobacco use prevalence, consequences, and co-occurrence with other substances in a sample of youth (ages 18 to 19) exiting the foster care system. In the face of an overall decrease in tobacco use among general population adolescents and young adults, results suggest disproportionate levels of lifetime, recent, and daily use among foster youth. Prevalence of recent tobacco use (46%) is nearly triple national rates, while daily smoking (32%) is almost four times that of general population young adults. Tobacco users were more likely than non-users to drink (70% vs. 40%) and to smoke marijuana (72% vs. 25%). We strongly encourage researchers and practitioners to increase attention to this tobacco-related health disparity. |
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