Research

Nashville NAACP Tobacco Prevention Initiative: An example of community-based participatory action research
Since its start in 2006, the Nashville NAACP Tobacco Prevention Initiative has informed the public, worked on tobacco policy, and assisted with research on tobacco use among African Americans.  The initiative performs Community-based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR), a method that allows the community to take part in guiding and performing the research, instead of being passive research subjects.   The project has been cited by researchers as a model for other research with minorities, and is effective because community members are more likely to listen to local leaders than general public health messages. Learn more here.

top

Reports

Clinicians urged to research more into smoking, alcohol abuse in Africa
There is little existing information about the epidemiology of smoking and alcohol abuse in Africa, but what is known is that these problems are worsening in developing countries.  More knowledge would be useful to inform policymakers of the prevalence of substance abuse problems, Dr. George Amofa, Deputy Director of Ghana Health Services, remarked at a training meeting in Africa.  There are no existing alcohol regulations in Ghana, and the Ghana Health Service has unsuccessfully attempted to pass tobacco legislation.  Click here to read the full article.

Concern over mentally ill smokers
An Australian report commissioned by SANE Australia shows that mentally ill Australians are responsible for 42% of the country’s cigarette purchases, and are three times more likely to be smokers than those in the general public.  The report also mentioned concerns regarding the lack of programs available to help the mentally ill quit smoking, particularly because of the financial burden smoking causes for this group.  These findings echo the results of studies in the United States of smoking among those with mental illnesses. Click here to get more information.

top

Back to Table of Contents