IntroductionSocial deprivation is a known determinant of health and related behaviors. Many studies have linked socioeconomic status to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. However, no studies have examined the relationship between social deprivation and SHS exposure. This study examined whether social deprivation has any independent effect on SHS exposure at both individual and regional levels among Chinese residents.MethodsA cross-sectional multistage sampling design was utilized to interview subjects from 6 selected cities in China. A standardized questionnaire was used to tap demographic characteristics, social deprivation and SHS exposure. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to assess the association between social deprivation and SHS exposure.Results5,782 valid questionnaires were collected in this study. Of 2,930 non-smokers, the SHS exposure prevalence was 21.9% (95% CI 19.5, 24.30). Multilevel logistic regression showed a negative association between family income, regional GDP and SHS exposure, and positive associations between social deprivation and SHS exposure, respectively. ConclusionsFindings support the central proposition that social deprivation influences SHS exposure messages. Our research underscores the importance of reducing health inequality in controlling SHS exposure. ImplicationsThe information from this study should be helpful when considering effective SHS exposure control policies and interventions among urban residents in China. Targeted interventions for SHS exposure should help reduce health inequities across social class. With this in mind, SHS exposure control for socially deprived groups should be paid attention.

INTRODUCTION Social deprivation is a known determinant of health and related behaviors. Many studies have linked socioeconomic factors to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. However, no studies have examined the relationship between social deprivation and SHS exposure. This study examined whether contextual social deprivation – variously based on living in a house without a car, that was overcrowded, or had an unemployed member (s) – had an independent association with SHS exposure at both individual and regional levels among Chinese residents. METHODS A cross-sectional multistage sampling design was utilized to interview subjects from 6 selected cities in China. A standardized questionnaire selected sociodemographic characteristics, contextual social deprivation and SHS exposure. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to assess the association between social deprivation and SHS exposure. RESULTS A total of 5782 valid questionnaires were collected in this study. Among 2930 non-smokers, the SHS exposure prevalence was 21.9% (95% CI: 19.5– 24.30). Multilevel logistic regression showed a negative association between household income, regional GDP, and SHS exposure, respectively, and positive associations between contextual social deprivation and SHS exposure. CONCLUSIONS Findings support the central proposition that contextual social deprivation must be factored into SHS exposure messages. Our research underscores the importance of reducing health inequality in controlling SHS exposure.

In a culture with a high degree of sexual freedom, an individual is less likely to know who his male ancestors are, thereby leading to loose family links. We establish an inverse relationship between sexual freedom and family ties using individual survey and minority‐level data from China. By employing traditional minority‐level marriage customs and labour intensity to instrument for contemporary individual attitudes towards sexual freedom, the two‐stage least‐squares estimates confirm the causal relationship between sexual freedom and family ties. Moreover, loose family ties tend to result in limited trust among family members and more reliance on contracts rather than blood relations when engaging in business with relatives. We confirm the hypothesis using individual survey and minority‐level data.

In this study, we investigated the effect of the present‐day density of local cadres on economic performance in Chinese prefecture‐level cities. Adjusting for common control variables, our estimates show that local cadre density has a significantly positive effect on regional economic performance. This result holds when we employ the local cadre density in 1949, when the Chinese Communist Party assumed power, to instrument for the current local cadre density. We also tested the channels through which local cadres play a role in regional economic development. Our empirical results show that a high local cadre density has a significant effect on attracting economic resources, which promotes regional economic performance.