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TFN E-News Update / April 2016

i Apr 19th No Comments by
April is National Minority Health Month
 Although cigarette smoking has declined significantly since 1964, very large disparities in tobacco use remain across groups defined by race, ethnicity, education level, socioeconomic status and across regions of the country. There is a wealth of information available about this topic. Here are a few resources: Best Practices User Guide:Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); A Practitioner’s Guide for Advancing Health Equity: Community Strategies for Preventing Chronic Disease – Section 2: Maximizing Tobacco Free Living; and CDC’s video, Unequal Opportunity Killer.
The CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health and the Division of Cancer Control and Prevention fund national networks to address tobacco-related and cancer health disparities in their respective populations – these Networks have information and resources specific to tobacco in their communities.
 
Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy, and Leadership:  RAISE (Reaching Asian Americans Pacific Islanders Through Innovative Strategies to Achieve Equity in Tobacco Control and Cancer Prevention.)
 
Keep It Sacred National Native Network:KeepItSacred.itcmi.org
 
National Alliance for Hispanic Health: Nuestras Voces
 
National African American Tobacco Prevention Network:naatpn.org
 
Network for LGBT Health Equity at Centerlink:LGBTHealthlink.org 
 
Additional networks that address special populations and tobacco use are:
 
Geographic Health Equity Alliance addresses geographic health disparities.
 
National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco and Cancer Control addresses health disparities among behavioral health consumers.
 
SelfMade Health Network fosters prevention among vulnerable populations.
Kaiser Family Foundation Reports on Social Determinants of Health
 A recent Kaiser Family Foundation health brief details how social determinants have a significant impact on health outcomes and how addressing them is important for achieving greater health equity. It also features several ways that some states are using social determinants in their efforts to improve population health.
National Cancer Control and Oral Cancer Awareness Month
One of every three cancer deaths in the United States is linked to smoking. It is also well known that smoking causes cancer of the mouth, nose and throat.  Within five years of quitting smoking, the risk of mouth, throat and esophagus cancer is cut in half.
 
Shane, whose throat cancer was a result of smoking, discusses how he didn’t realize the health complications that could result from tobacco use in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.
Smoke-free Homes: Barriers, Motivators and Enablers
A recent article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ Open) titled Smoke-free Homes: what are the barriers, motivators and enablers? A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis develops seven core analytic themes that impact the transition to a smoke-free home.
 
This article highlights the complexity faced by many households in having a smoke-free home. It focuses on the practical, social, cultural and personal issues that need to be addressed and balanced by the households. While some issues are common across study settings, specific social and cultural factors play a critical role in shaping household smoking behaviors. The findings can inform policy, practice and the development of interventions aimed at increasing the number of smoke-free homes.
Sociodemographic Differences Exist Among U.S. Children and Adults Exposed to Secondhand Smoke
National Health Interview Surveys 2000 and 2010 were compared in Public Health Reports (March-April 2016) showing the prevalence of self-reported secondhand smoke exposure declined from 2,627 of 10,636 (24.7%) to 663 of 8,095 (8.2%) for children and from 2,863 of 23,665 (12.1%) to 897 of 20,384 (4.4%) for adults from 2000 to 2010.
Secondhand smoke exposure declined for all population subgroups between the two years, but differences were found. Compared with 2000, children aged 12-17 years in 2010 were no longer more likely than children aged 0-5 years to be exposed to secondhand smoke. Non-Hispanic black children and adults were more likely than non-Hispanic white children and adults to be exposed to secondhand smoke in 2010. Children living in the Midwest and South had higher levels of secondhand smoke exposure than children in other regions in 2010.
National Infertility Awareness Week April 24-30
Smoking reduces a woman’s chance of getting pregnant. Men who smoke are more likely to have damaged DNA in their sperm; this can also reduce fertility.
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers extensive resources on Smoking and Reproduction, as well as Information for Health Care Providers and Public Health Professionals: Preventing Tobacco Use During Pregnancy.

A free-CME (continuing medical education) online course for health care professionals on tobacco cessation counseling, especially for pregnant patients is available atSmokingCessationandPregnancy.org.
 
The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline can assist any Nebraska resident age 16 and older. It is free, available 24/7 and provides trained Quit Coaches to help people quit any form of tobacco (including e-cigarettes).  Call the Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). 
Raising the Tobacco Sales Age to 21: Surveying the Legal Landscape
Research indicates that curbing tobacco sales to adolescents through “under 21” laws represents an effective deterrent to smoking in adulthood.  This articlefrom Public Health Reports (March-April 2016) explores this complex and challenging topic.
 
Since 2013, at least 135 U.S. cities and towns have passed laws setting 21 as the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.  As then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg explained when he signed New York City’s Tobacco 21 law in 2013, these laws are effective because they “prevent young people from experimenting with tobacco when they are most likely to become addicted.”
No Limits Summer Activism Summit
May 25-27 | Kearney 
 A free event for youth, ages 12-17 or entering grades 7-12, who want to learn how to help change the influence of Big Tobacco on Nebraska’s youth!Transportation provided. Applicationsdue April 27.
Faith United Against Tobacco Webinar            
April 27 | 2:00 CT 
 Learn how faith-based organizations are teaming up with Faith United Against Tobacco and CDC to leverage CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers Campaign to encourage their members to quit smoking. Register here.
Emerging Science in State and Community Tobacco Control Policy and Practice
May 4 | Washington D.C. 
 Lead investigators address critical gaps in state and community tobacco control, such as secondhand smoke policies and mass media strategies. Attend free via live stream.Registration required. 
Cultivating a Culture of Health Equity
July 19-21 | Phoenix, AZ
 Annual Conference of the National Association of City and County Health Officials; the largest gathering of local health department leaders and other public health professionals in the U.S. Register by June 9 for early-bird rates.

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