UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: The Priority Population Initiative is expanding efforts to reduce tobacco use-related health disparities that include medical providers routinely giving cessation advise, cessation collateral materials developed for diverse populations, and a cessation system that is available, accessible, affordable, and appropriate. The initiative focuses on the providing for the cessation needs of American Indians, African Americans, and Hispanics. Ethnic and racial minority groups experience higher mortality from several diseases related to tobacco use. In Oklahoma (United States), 26% of the adult population are current smokers.

Methods: Working with the College of Medicine, medical students and clinicians are trained in the 5 As and 5 Rs via grand rounds, course lectures, and conferences. At the community level, focus groups are used to develop potential messaging and message venues to deliver cessation and prevention interventions. Community clinics and minority health professional association members are trained on the Public Health Guidelines, Helpline (toll-free telephone quitline with counseling), and fax referral system. Supporting the Initiative is a statewide infrastructure to provide resources and opportunities. Statewide efforts include the partial funding of the Helpline, purchasing of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for Medicare and Medicaid eligible Helpline callers, promotion of private insurance coverage of tobacco use cessation, and funding the university-based evaluation of the initiative.

Results: The Initiative has implemented many of the system pieces necessary to decrease the availability, accessibility, and affordability issues surrounding cessation. Clinician training on cessation continues at the medical school and associations. Preliminary results of the Helpline usage will be available.