Research

American Lung Association releases 2005 report on lung disease in Culturally Diverse Communities
The American Lung Association recently released their 2005 report on Lung Disease in Culturally Diverse Communities. The report includes data on the following populations: African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender populations. By providing statistics, background material and useful information about asthma, smoking and clean air, the report can be a resource for learning about and combating lung disease and behavioral risk factors. Click here to view the report.

Study examines Asian Americans’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding ETS
Research on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Asian Americans concerning second hand smoke will be published in Preventive Medicine Volume 41, Issue 2, 446-453. The study of 1,374 Asian Americans indicates that ETS exposure remains a problem for Asian Americans, with 38.3% exposed at home and 40.3% exposed at their place of employment. The study also reveals a significant association between knowledge and attitudes regarding the effects of second hand smoke, with comparisons made among ethnic groups. Click here to view the abstract and link to the article.

Pilot study investigates attitudes and beliefs of Latino Americans on smoking interventions
A recent issue of Preventive Medicine (Volume 41, Issue 1 , July 2005, 126-133) includes a report on a pilot study of attitudes and beliefs held by young adult Latino Americans about smoking cessation programs. Researchers interviewed 19 young adults and found that, despite the desire of some Latinos to quit, cultural barriers make quitting difficult. The acknowledged barriers include lack of knowledge, unwillingness to ask for help, and perceived deficiency of Spanish language resources for assistance in cessation. Click here to view the report.

Study examines effects of nativity, age at migration, and acculturation on smoking among individuals of Mexican Descent
A recent study of 5,030 adults of Mexican descent found that age and age of migration to the U.S. impact smoking rates. The researchers concluded that interventions for people of Mexican decent should be customized based on gender, country of birth, and acculturation for people of all ages. This article was published in the June issue of The American Journal of Public Health (June 2005, Vol 95, No. 6, 1043-1049).

Study demonstrates disparate cancer survival rates among Hispanics
The May 2005 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (Vol 171, No. 10, 1158-1163) published an article revealing disparities in cancer survival rates for Hispanic patients in comparison to white patients. The national population-based study examined the survival rates for over 16,000 lung cancer patients with curable stage I growths. Overall mortality was higher in the Hispanic group of almost 700, with five-year lung cancer survival at 54% for Hispanics versus 62% for whites. Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (NYC) report that the disparities appear to be due to lower rates of surgical resection (the typical treatment for stage I lung cancer) and later diagnosis of the cancer. Click here to view the abstract. Also, click here for additional information.

Study shows that tobacco industry targeted women with ads and products
Researchers who reviewed tobacco company internal documents exposed the companies’ tactics to lure women to smoke, having found that women were targeted with advertising and the creation of new products. The design of cigarettes and their ingredients incorporated health, weight control and stress reduction to meet the concepts of liberation, glamour, success and thinness that the tobacco companies determined were important to women. Additionally, the documents noted the “low tar” and “light” cigarettes were in response to their belief that “(Women) do not want to stop smoking, yet they are guilt-ridden with concerns for their families if smoking should badly damage their own health." Click here to view the research report.

Smoking Rates and Contributing Factors in Southwest and Northern Plains American Indian Tribes
The May issue of American Journal of Public Health (May 2005, Vol 95, No. 5, 867-872) explored smoking rates and correlates with smoking for a sample of almost 3,000 individuals from Southwest and Northern Plains Tribal Groups. Smoking rates among Southwest tribes were considerably lower, with the rate among women at 10% and among men at 19%, than smoking rates of the Northern Plain tribes (men 49% and women 51%). Younger age and the male gender increased smoking tendencies for the Southwest tribal population. Researchers cite the factors of peer influence and use of other nicotine products and changes in both tribal and individual practices, beliefs, and behaviors toward smoking as potential contributors to the increase in young male smokers in the Southwest. For Northern Plain tribes, smoking was associated with marital status, with those ever married exhibiting increased rates. Time spent away from the reservation also significantly increased odds of smoking, possibly due to the increase in stress of experienced by American Indians who leave the reservation to live in an urban environment. For both populations, alcohol consumption was directly related to smoking status, but education level was not significantly related. The researchers indicate that the varying tendencies and predictors of smoking in different tribes demonstrate a need for interventions to be tribe specific, not just targeted toward American Indians in general. Click here to view the abstract.

Educational videos on Asian American and Latina girls and smoking available
The program Asian American Girls and Smoking, which was originally shown on the PBS show “To the Contrary” on September 19, 2004, is now available. The video can help educate people about the increase in smoking among Asian American Girls and the reasons behind it. Click here to purchase tape.

In addition, the program Latinas and Smoking, which was originally shown on the PBS show “To the Contrary” on April 18, 2003, is also available. The video can help educate people about tobacco use in and its impact on the Latina community as well as highlighting successful intervention programs. Click here to view video or click here to purchase.

Mi Familia No Fuma launched in Texas
An anti-smoking campaign aimed at Hispanics, called Mi Familia No Fuma, was introduced by the Texas Department of State Health Services on World No Tobacco Day. The campaign is population specific and targets Hispanics on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border. Click here to obtain additional information.

Anti-tobacco messages use hip hop to counteract tobacco industry efforts to target African American youth
In response to the tobacco industry’s recent use of hip-hop to target African American youth, such as Brown and Williamson’s “Kool MIXX” promotion, anti-tobacco advocates are now using hip hop to discourage smoking. In conjunction with the National Conference on Tobacco and Health in Chicago in May, organizers held a hip-hop concert for Chicago youth. Deejays, emcees and break dancers got the crowd excited about hip hop and encouraged the youth to avoid tobacco. Click here for more information on participants in the event and the concert itself.

New York: SmokeFree Home Campaign targets New York’s LGBT community
New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center’s SmokeFree Project partnered with Brini Maxwell, domestic diva of the Style Network, to encourage LGBT and HIV+ smokers to quit. The SmokeFree Homes Campaign consisted of a pledge to make one’s home smoke free by quitting and by helping loved ones quit. Click here to view the pledge and other information.

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