Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Overweight/Obesity in Rhode Island: Comparisons of Survey and Claims Data.

Many states, including Rhode Island, have begun to collect insurance claims data to better understand healthcare spending and local health outcomes. In this study, we sought to determine whether or not the prevalence of tobacco use and overweight/obesity in the Rhode Island All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) was comparable to that predicted by national behavioral survey data. We found that the prevalence of these lifestyle-related health problems was lower in local claims data than in survey data, suggesting that this database should be used with caution when exploring issues related to the prevalence of tobacco use and overweight/ obesity in Rhode Island. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2019-03.asp].