Our study

While African Americans smoke at similar or lower rates than non-Hispanic whites, their rates of lung cancer incidence and mortality are significantly higher. Chronic inflammation is a well-known pathway that directly links cigarette use to lung cancer carcinogenesis, and smokers have an elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker for systemic inflammation. The objective of our proposed study is to examine changes in obesity and inflammation in African American and non-Hispanic white ex-smokers. Data will be drawn from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal panel study on middle-aged to older adults. Using random effects multilevel modeling, we will compare different types of obesity (i.e., general vs. abdominal) to determine whether there are unique effects on inflammation between races. We will use propensity scores to isolate effects of race. By isolating the obesity-inflammation effect in ex- smokers, we will be able to determine bio-behavioral mechanisms that may contribute to racial disparities in cancer risk, and ultimately incidence, taking into account lasting effects of smoking.