The percentage of adults who smoke in Tennessee ranges from a low of 15.2% in Williamson County to a high of 26.6% in Lake County. Understanding where these disparities in health outcomes and risk factors occur is critical to understanding and improving community health.

The rates of tobacco use and smoking identified in Hamilton County ZIP codes ranges from a low of 29 per 1,000 residents in Collegedale (37315) to a high of 474 per 1,000 residents in Chattanooga-Alton Park (37410), a 16-fold difference. Identifying the communities within counties that are driving poor health outcomes can help target resources to maximize the effectiveness of community health improvement interventions.

The rates of lung cancer diagnosed in a hospital setting reflect patterns of smoking in Hamilton County. Rates of lung cancer range from a low of 2.7 per 1,000 residents in Collegedale (37315) to a high of 22.9 per 1,000 residents in Chattanooga-Alton Park (37410), an 8-fold difference. Identifying and understanding localized differences in health factors and health outcomes increases the likelihood of successful prevention efforts.