Healthy Indiana Plan
Tobacco Use/Immunization Gap
The Governor's Plan for a Healthier Indiana
Tobacco Use
The Problem - Adults
- In 2005, 27% of adults in Indiana smoked, a significant increase from 2004 (24%)
- Indiana ranks 2nd among all states in adult smokers (7th in 2004)
- Indiana's adult smoking rates are considerably higher than the U.S. rate of 20%
The Problem - Youth
- 10,200 Hoosier children under 18 start smoking each year and 160,000 kids under the age of 18 will die prematurely from smoking.
- Smoking rates increase as children get older:
- 5% of 6th graders smoke
- 10% of 8th graders smoke
- 19% of 9th graders smoke
- 26% of 12th graders smoke
The Problem - Indiana Economy
- Medical costs related to smoking in Indiana amount to more than $1 billion annually
- Annual Indiana Medicaid expenditures related to tobacco are more than $400 million
- For every pack of cigarettes sold in Indiana, Hoosiers spend $7.10 in health care costs related to smoking
The Problem - Indiana Lacks Adequate Funding For Tobacco Prevention & Cessation
- Federal guidelines recommend Indiana invest $34 million toward tobacco prevention and cessation programs; today, Indiana invests $10.8M
- While smoking rates have fallen nationally to an all-time low of 20%, Indiana's rates have essentially remained the same or risen over the last 10 years
- Indiana has a low cigarette tax national ranking of 36th
Immunization Gap
The Problem
- 22% of Indiana's children do not receive the requisite immunizations by their 2nd birthdays and are not completely immunized against preventable diseases like hepatitis B, polio, mumps, measles, and whooping cough
- Indiana ranks 39th in the nation in immunizations for two-year olds
- Nearly $25 in health care costs can be saved for every $1 spent on childhood immunizations
Sources: IETCP, ISDH, and Indiana University
