American Heart Association Hails Findings of Massachusetts Smoking Cessation Study
Dramatic decline in heart attack hospitalizations among smokers with access to smoking cessation benefit
(Boston – November, 18, 2009) – A new study that shows a significant drop in heart attack hospitalizations for smokers using a new MassHealth insurance benefit demonstrates the value of making a strong investment in tobacco control programs, according to the American Heart Association.
The data released today by the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program indicate up to 38 percent fewer MassHealth cessation benefit users were hospitalized for heart attacks in the first year after using the benefit.
“These early findings offer great promise,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “Heart attacks take a financial and emotional toll on patients and their families. We are far better off preventing one than treating one. The association is proud to have partnered with the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program on this initiative to help drive down the state’s smoking rates and protect residents from secondhand smoke exposure.”
In 2006, the Massachusetts State Legislature enacted the law providing a smoking cessation benefit for all MassHealth subscribers. More than 75,000 subscribers used the benefit in the first two-and-a-half years.
“This study provides hope for smokers who want to quit but haven’t had access to medicine, counseling and other tools to help them succeed,” said Brown. “Massachusetts lawmakers must sustain funding for this program to help more residents kick this deadly habit.”
Smoking remains the number one preventable cause of heart disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses in the U.S. and Massachusetts. Within two-and-a-half years of the benefit’s implementation, the smoking rate among MassHealth members fell below 30 percent. Prior to the benefit, the previous decade’s smoking rate for MassHealth subscribers was about 40 percent, more than twice the state average.
Dramatic decline in heart attack hospitalizations among smokers with access to smoking cessation benefit
(Boston – November, 18, 2009) – A new study that shows a significant drop in heart attack hospitalizations for smokers using a new MassHealth insurance benefit demonstrates the value of making a strong investment in tobacco control programs, according to the American Heart Association.
The data released today by the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program indicate up to 38 percent fewer MassHealth cessation benefit users were hospitalized for heart attacks in the first year after using the benefit.
“These early findings offer great promise,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “Heart attacks take a financial and emotional toll on patients and their families. We are far better off preventing one than treating one. The association is proud to have partnered with the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program on this initiative to help drive down the state’s smoking rates and protect residents from secondhand smoke exposure.”
In 2006, the Massachusetts State Legislature enacted the law providing a smoking cessation benefit for all MassHealth subscribers. More than 75,000 subscribers used the benefit in the first two-and-a-half years.
“This study provides hope for smokers who want to quit but haven’t had access to medicine, counseling and other tools to help them succeed,” said Brown. “Massachusetts lawmakers must sustain funding for this program to help more residents kick this deadly habit.”
Smoking remains the number one preventable cause of heart disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses in the U.S. and Massachusetts. Within two-and-a-half years of the benefit’s implementation, the smoking rate among MassHealth members fell below 30 percent. Prior to the benefit, the previous decade’s smoking rate for MassHealth subscribers was about 40 percent, more than twice the state average.
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