| Affiliation: | 1Division of Behavioral Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 2Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, and 3MGH Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy, Division of General Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Vida L. Tyc, PhD, Division of Behavioral Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. E-mail: vida.tyc{at}stjude.org |
| Abstract: | Objective To summarize information on rates of secondhandsmoke (SHS) exposure among healthy and medically at-risk pediatricpopulations, discusses the clinical manifestations of pediatricdisease that are exacerbated by exposure, and provide an overviewof promising strategies for reducing SHS in vulnerable pediatricpopulations. Methods The success of exposure reductionand smoking cessation interventions implemented with parentsof healthy children and those with respiratory disease, in thecontext of their child's health care, is reviewed. Results Concurrentimplementation of multiple levels of intervention, includingclinical interventions within the medical setting, will helpto maximize the reduction in childhood SHS exposure. Conclusion Ongoingintervention research and identification of strategies to capitalizeon opportunities for providing effective SHS counseling in primarycare and specialty clinics will be critical for effective tobaccocontrol among medically at-risk children. |
