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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jennifer Weil, MA, Susanna Nemes, PhD, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, PhD, Sharon Zack, MA, Kelly Munly, MS, and Heather Levin, Esq. Danya International Inc, 8737 Colesville Road, suite 1200, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-565-2142, jweil@danya.com
Over 400,000 U.S deaths occur annually from smoking-related illnesses such as various forms of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and pulmonary illnesses. While the prevalence rates of adult smokers in the U.S. have declined, cigarette smoking among youth remains unchanged, or even increased. Research suggests that adolescents wish to quit smoking. However, cessation programs designed specifically for adolescent smokers are limited. In response to the need for youth cessation interventions, Danya International, Inc., with funding from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has developed a multifaceted smoking-cessation program called Adolescent Smoking Cessation Escaping Nicotine & Tobacco (ASCENT). Incorporating the theoretical model of “Stages of Change”, ASCENT utilizes cognitive behavioral approaches that are developmentally appropriate for ages 14 through 18 years old. The intervention includes a six-session curriculum, training manual, teen workbook, motivational video entitled The Last Drag, and facilitator’s video. Presenting quitting as a process, ASCENT enables youth to acquire the necessary knowledge and motivation to be successful in becoming abstinent. Youth involvement throughout the project period enabled the motivational video and curriculum to be specifically tailored to meet the needs of the target population. An outcome evaluation to determine the efficacy of the program in the target population is currently being conducted. Six schools from the state of Maryland were randomly assigned to either the control group (students asked to quit on their own without assistance) or the experimental group (ASCENT). Evaluation design, recruitment protocols and preliminary outcome data will be presented.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Tobacco
Related Web page: www.teenquit.com (The site will be launched in September)
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Danya International Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment