Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Local health campaigns to reduce lung cancers induced by radon and smoking - who responds?

Denman, A. R., Timson, K., Shield, G., Groves-Kirkby, C. J., Rogers, S., Campbell, J. and Phillips, P. S. (2009) Local health campaigns to reduce lung cancers induced by radon and smoking - who responds? Health Policy. 93(2), pp. 201-206. 0168-8510.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: The greatest risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, the second largest factor being raised radon levels at home. Initiatives to stop smoking and reduce domestic radon levels have met with some success, but in both cases a significant proportion of those affected have not taken action. The two risk factors combine, so that those who smoke and live in a house with high radon levels are at higher risk than if exposed to only one of the two threats. There is the potential for combined public health campaigns to better target those affected. Using postal questionnaires, we collected demographic information of those in Northamptonshire, UK, a radon Affected Area, who participated in Smoking Cessation Programmes, and compared these to a recent study by our group of those who had taken action to reduce radon. The comparison suggests that these two groups are significantly different, and in some cases differ from the general population. In addition, those who continue to quit smoking at 1 year were more likely to have children under 18 at home, and live with a parent or partner compared to those who had relapsed after the previous assessment at 4 weeks. There is merit in extending Smoking Cessation Programmes to include advice on reducing the risks from radon
Uncontrolled Keywords: Smoking cessation; radon; public health policy
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA1242 Toxicology. Smoking
T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD885.5 Radon pollution
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA565 Environmental health
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology
Creators: Denman, Anthony R, Timson, K, Shield, G, Groves-Kirkby, Chris J, Rogers, Stephen, Campbell, Jackie and Phillips, Paul S
Publisher: Elsevier
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Applied Sciences (to 2009) > Environmental Science (to 2009)
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Institute of Health and Wellbeing > Ageing Research Centre
Research Centres > Centre for Health Sciences and Services
Research Centres > Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences
Date: December 2009
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 201-206
Journal or Publication Title: Health Policy
Volume: 93
Number: 2
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2009.07.011
ISSN: 0168-8510
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/2361

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