Racial/Ethnic Differences in Vaping Product Use among Youth: A State-Level Analysis.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the racial and ethnic differences in vaping product use among youth, specifically focusing on state-level data from Utah in 2019. The study aims to estimate the odds of lifetime and past 30-day vaping across seven racial/ethnic categories, including American Indian or Alaskan Native, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Multiracial, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Asian, and non-Hispanic White youth.

Key Points:

* The study uses state-representative data from Utah in 2019, with a sample of 58,689 youth in grades 8, 10, and 12.
* The analysis includes a Cox proportional hazards model to estimate the cumulative probabilities for initiating vaping product use.
* The results indicate that American Indian or Alaskan Native, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Multiracial, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander youth had significantly higher odds of both lifetime and past 30-day vaping compared to non-Hispanic White youth.
* Hispanic/Latino youth reported the highest odds of initiation at each age.
* The study highlights the importance of considering regional patterns of vaping across racial/ethnic groups, which may not mirror national trends.
* State- and community-level data should be used to inform efforts to reduce e-cigarette use and promote health equity among youth.

Main Message:
The study emphasizes the significance of examining state-level data to understand the racial and ethnic differences in vaping product use among youth better. The findings suggest that regional patterns of vaping across racial/ethnic groups may vary from national trends, and therefore, state- and community-level data should be used to inform efforts to reduce e-cigarette use and promote health equity among youth. The results highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies to address the disparities in vaping product use among different racial and ethnic groups.

Cambron C. Racial/Ethnic Differences in Vaping Product Use among Youth: A State-Level Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2023;20(9). doi:10.3390/ijerph20095729