FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 14, 2010
Contact: Lee Konfrst, 515-554-1052
Heart Disease Admissions Down 24% Since Smokefree Air Act Passage
American Cancer Society welcomes legislators back with good news from new study
DES MOINES, IA – The American Cancer Society welcomed legislators back at its annual Legislative Breakfast today at the Capitol with the good news that a new study shows dramatic improvements in Iowans’ cardiovascular health since the Iowa Smokefree Air Act was passed in 2008.
The study examined data submitted to the Iowa Department of Public Health summarizing the number of monthly hospitalizations between July 2005 and June 2009 for cardiovascular diseases caused or made worse by smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke.
“We found a 24 percent reduction in hospital admissions due to coronary heart disease in the year after the Smokefree Air Act was passed compared with the previous three years,” said Dr. Christopher Squier of the Department of Oral Pathology at the College of Dentistry, University of Iowa. “This represents 2,324 fewer Iowans dealing with this condition, a result that no one can ignore. In less than two years, we are already seeing the public health benefits of this landmark piece of legislation, and for that our legislators and the governor should be commended.”
Hospital admissions due to heart attacks and strokes were also down during this same period. Admissions for conditions that are not affected by tobacco did not see a similar decrease.
“We believed in the promise of the Iowa Smokefree Air Act from the very beginning and are thrilled that science can already show the benefits for Iowans,” said Peggy Huppert, Iowa Director of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society, Midwest Division. “As the legislative session begins, this should serve as an important reminder to policymakers that good public policy can save lives and must be vigorously protected, enforced, and funded.”
In 2010, the American Cancer Society will also continue working to make sure routine care is covered for patients in clinical trials, to improve funding and access to cancer screening services, and to support efforts to expand access to health care for all Iowans.
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