Use of the Population Health Model to Address Tobacco Use among Emerging Adult Population

 

The issue of tobacco use among emerging adults can be addressed using the population health model. The population health model understands the health of various population groups by focusing on the multiple determinants of health and how the determinants of health interact and influence each other, leading to favorable or poor health outcomes (Russo & Gourevitch, 2019). An analysis of the health patterns across the population is needed to identify these determinants of health. Health outcomes result from how susceptible the individuals within the population and the entire population are to these determinants of health. The model thus helps understand how differences in health outcomes occur across the population.

The plan to address tobacco use among the emerging adult population is first to understand the determinants of health behavior risk and then decide on applicable approaches to counter the determinants of tobacco. This is done by conceptualizing the factors influencing tobacco use in this population group. Tobacco use among emerging adults is linked to social and economic factors, the social and physical environment, mental health status, gender, race, and genetic factors. Social and economic factors such as the level of income and the level of education are leading determinants of tobacco use among adults aged 18 or above. The prevalence of tobacco use in 2019 was highest among people with GED-level education at 43.7 percent and 27 percent for households earning below $35,000 annually (Cornelius et al., 2020). Mental health status factors such as self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and stress contribute to increased tobacco use. For instance, severe anxiety influences 45.7 percent of tobacco usage (Cornelius et al., 2020). The social and physical environment includes living with a smoker or in areas where smoking is open and unrestricted. Manipulative advertising and marketing of tobacco products, such as flavored e-cigs, contribute to higher use among emerging adults (Chadi et al., 2019).