Study Examines Smoking, Anxiety Among Black Men
"Association Between Anxiety and Smoking in a Sample of Urban Black Men," Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health: Bradley Collins and Stephen Lepore of Temple University's Health Behavior Research Center examined the relationship between self-reported smoking status and anxiety among 430 black, middle-aged men participating in an ongoing cancer prevention trial. Researchers found a significant association between anxiety and smoking, with current smokers having greater anxiety than former and nonsmokers. Greater anxiety also was associated with heavier smoking. Researchers note that the findings "could guide future experimental studies examining smoking-anxiety associations and inform intervention strategies addressing anxiety in underserved nicotine dependent populations with high tobacco-related risks" (Collins/Lepore, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, February 2009).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.