Smoking rates highest among American Indians and Alaska Natives

Rates of smoking among American Indians and Alaska Nativesare higher than for other US adults. On the basis of data from the 2016 National Health Interview Survey from the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 31.8% of American Indian and Alaska Native adults smoke. In contrast, the rates of smoking were almost half that for blacks (16.5%) and whites (16.5%).

Unlike other groups, smoking rates have not declined significantly over the past 2 decades.

Smoking rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives also vary by region, with the highest rates reported in the northern plains at 40% and the lowest in the Southwest at 20%. The Strong Heart Study observed higher smoking rates among men (40.5%) than women (29.3%).

See  “Cardiovascular Health in American Indians and Alaska Natives: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association” (2020)