Smoking and depression are major contributors to mortality and disability in the US. They are also significantly associated with each other, with higher rates of smoking among depressed populations compared to the general population. Research suggests that smoking and depression may be subject to feedback effects, as depression is known to predict future smoking, while smoking also predicts future depression. These dynamics at the individual level could have important implications for population health outcomes.

I aim to develop a joint model of smoking and depression comorbidity that uses nationally representative data to project future trajectories of smoking, depression, and mortality in the US. A model of smoking behavior and depression co-morbidity could explore policy approaches likely to produce the largest population health gains, and guide decision-making to address smoking disparities by mental health status.