Tobacco Health Disparities

Henderson, Patricia

Thursday, August 16, 2012: 8:30 AM

2501 ABC (Kansas City Convention Center)

Dr. Patricia Henderson, MD, MPH , Black Hills Center for American Indian Health, Rapid City, SD

Dr. Pebbles Fagan, PhD, MPH , University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI

Dr. Jeffrey Levi, PhD , Trust for America's Health, Washington, DC

Dr. Adewale Troutman, MD, MPH, MA, CPH , University of South Florida

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:

Recognize that tobacco related health disparities are increasing among the most vulnerable sectors of our society
Propose solutions to re-prioritize health equity initiatives through special funding programs
Outline steps to identify, recruit, groom and educate new leaders from disparate communities to lead the efforts toward health equity

Cross Cutting Program Area(s): Nicotine and the Science of Addiction and Tobacco Control Policies

Audience: All attendees

Key Points:

While there have been great strides in tobacco control over the years, tobacco use and tobacco related diseases are concentrated amongst the poor, less educated, people of color, Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transgender (LGBT) populations and other marginalized groups.

Exacerbating this situation is that funding to tackle these disparities has seldom been adequate and monies continue to be diminishing.

Educational Experience:

data will be presented on where Tobacco Related Health Disparities are increasing amongst the most vulnerable sectors and where funding is diminishing. Proposed solutions to reverse this trend will be presented, including a call to all in the tobacco control movement to re-prioritize the fight against tobacco related health disparities and for health equity. An argument will be made for special funding, programs and initiatives to stem the tide of tobacco initiation and addiction amongst disparate populations. A new generation of tobacco control advocates from disparate communities must be identified, recruited, groomed, educated and trained as leaders for the fight ahead. Recommendations will be provided on how to engage and mobilize these future leaders. What is at stake is nothing less than the health of the most vulnerable sectors of our society and how their ill health impacts the health of the entire nation.

Benefits: Recommendations will be provided on how to engage and mobilize these future leaders. What is at stake is nothing less than the health of the most vulnerable sectors of our society and how their ill health impacts the health of the entire nation.