Financial incentives nearly double quit rates among underserved people who smoke in national study
Offering financial incentives to people trying to quit smoking nearly doubled cessation rates among medically underserved adults undergoing lung cancer screening, according to a large national clinical trial involving Henry Ford Health.
A large national clinical trial involving Henry Ford Health found that financial incentives nearly doubled quit rates among medically underserved adults trying to quit smoking. The six-month study, published in JAMA, involved over 3,200 participants from diverse backgrounds including lower-income individuals, rural residents, and Black and Hispanic adults.
Those receiving free cessation medications and the opportunity to earn up to $600 in incentives had an 8.8% success rate compared to 4.3% for those receiving usual care. Study investigator Christine Neslund-Dudas emphasized the importance of this tool for people facing additional barriers to quitting, given their challenging histories with smoking.
Health system integration of tobacco treatment with lung cancer screening was also highlighted, noting the opportunity to prevent cancer development and address other health risks. While financial incentives showed promise, questions remain about funding, long-term savings, and accessibility for low-income populations.
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