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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Thomas P Houston, MD, Director, Science and Community Health Advocacy Programs, American Medical Association, 515 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610 and Madeleine Solomon, MPH, SmokeLess States National Program Office, American Medical Association, 515 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610, 312-464-4508, thomas_houston@ama-assn.org.
Public-private partnerships: a successful model in tobacco control
Beginning in 1991, the National Cancer Institute’s American Stop Smoking Intervention Study (ASSIST) was implemented as a prevention and tobacco use reduction strategy, using policy-based initiatives to influence both individual tobacco use and public health activity at the state level. The comprehensive tobacco control programs in ASSIST were the basis for the highly successful state initiatives in California and Massachusetts. The CDC includes development of coalitions to support tobacco control policy initiatives among the essential elements of statewide comprehensive tobacco control programs.
Private sector organizations should assume a leadership role in forming these collaborations, and take on several different sets of duties and responsibilities in the process. The private sector can provide political support and encouragement for production of scientific reports, policy “white papers,” and related activities. Private sector groups should also hold governmental agencies accountable for using resources wisely and fulfilling their obligations to taxpayers.
The coalitions funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/AMA SmokeLess States National Tobacco Policy Initiative are prime examples for public-private partnership in tobacco control. SmokeLess States projects primarily address policy initiatives in three key areas: increasing the price of tobacco products, clean indoor air policy, and increasing access to and reimbursement for tobacco use cessation.
Using strategic analysis to develop comprehensive, coordinated plans, a network of organizations with clear organizational and managerial accountability, and sufficient staff and resources to accomplish common goals, these partnerships can engage the health community, the public, and policymakers to make a difference in tobacco control.
Learning Objectives: After attending the session, participants will
Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Community-Based Partnership
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.