Financial Incentives Double Smoking Cessation Rates Among Underserved Patients Referred for Lung Cancer Screening
- Financial incentives roughly doubled smoking cessation rates among medically underserved adults referred for lung cancer screening, according to a large randomized clinical trial published in The Journal of...
- The Healthy Lungs trial examined 3,220 medically underserved adults across five United States medical centers within four health systems.
- Biochemically confirmed continuous smoking abstinence through six months reached 4.3% in the standard ask-advise-refer group and 5.1% with added free pharmacotherapy.
Financial incentives roughly doubled smoking cessation rates among medically underserved adults referred for lung cancer screening, according to a large randomized clinical trial published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. News-Medical reported that the study tested whether free medication, cash rewards, and text messages could help patients quit smoking regardless of their initial motivation levels.
Trial Design Across Four US Health Systems
The Healthy Lungs trial examined 3,220 medically underserved adults across five United States medical centers within four health systems. Researchers evaluated participants who smoked at least one combustible cigarette daily and had a clinician-ordered low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening scan. UA.News noted that the study assigned participants to standard care, free pharmacotherapy, financial incentives, or incentives combined with a mobile messaging tool. Participants included Black and Hispanic adults, rural residents, and individuals with lower incomes or limited formal education.
Cash Rewards Versus Pharmacotherapy and Mobile Tools
Biochemically confirmed continuous smoking abstinence through six months reached 4.3% in the standard ask-advise-refer group and 5.1% with added free pharmacotherapy. Adding financial incentives of up to $600 for verified abstinence increased the proportion to 8.8%. Pairing financial incentives with an episodic future-thinking mobile health tool resulted in a 7.2% abstinence rate. UA.News reported that adding free pharmacotherapy alone did not provide a statistically significant advantage over standard care.
Incentive Payments and Intervention Limitations
Participants offered financial rewards received payments at two weeks, three months, and six months based on verified abstinence. About 1 in 8 participants offered incentives received at least one payment during the trial.