Age-related differences in cigarette smoking among whites and African-Americans: Evidence for the crossover hypothesis

摘要: Abstract Background Age crossover describes the age-related reversal in prevalence of current cigarette smoking among non-Hispanic whites and African-Americans, with higher than African-Americans adolescence but lower adulthood. Prior studies have examined patterns separate adolescent adult samples not sought to identify factors that could account for crossover. We conducted analyses using national estimate their impact on age. Methods Analyses are based lifetime smokers 12–49 years old 2006-2008 aggregated National Surveys Drug Use Health ( N  = 61, 757) SAMHSA, 2007–2009 ) multiple birth cohorts followed over 21 cross-sectional surveys. Results identified US population at about age 29. Crossover is partially explained by differences between education marital status, more weakly opposite onset persistence two groups. Controlling history, social role participation would raise 14 years. Rates four different categories from ages 12–17 35 surveys spanning 24 confirm observed cross-sectionally. Conclusion appears African-Americans. Efforts targeted toward improving educational levels young people strongest decreasing persistent smoking, especially