Radon, Secondhand Smoke, and Children in the Home: Creating a Teachable Moment for Lung Cancer Prevention

Objective: This study determined whether having minor children in the home was associated with the teachable moment (TM) constructs of lung cancer worry, perceived risk, health-related self-concept, and the novel construct of synergistic risk. Design and Sample: Secondary data analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to reduce home exposure to radon and secondhand smoke (SHS). Quota sample of adults recruited at a Central Kentucky academic medical center (N = 556). Measures: Survey items assessed lung cancer worry, perceived risk, synergistic risk perception, and health-related self-concept. Results: The presence of children in the home was not a significant predictor of any construct needed to create a TM for lung cancer prevention. Individuals with children living in the home were more likely to be younger, a racial/ethnic minority, a current smoker, and live with a smoker compared to those without children in the home. Conclusions: There is a critical need to raise parental awareness on child health inequities related to the home exposure to radon and SHS. Public health nurses can create TMs for lung cancer prevention through greater awareness of the risks posed by radon and SHS along with promoting home testing and low-cost resources to reduce risk.