 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Robin Stevens, BA, School of Public Health, Health Behavior, Health Education, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory Street, OCBPH, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (734) 764-1817, stanback@umich.edu
As part of the Ruth Mott Health Scholars/Explorers Program, Faith Access to Community Economic Development (FACED) and the University of Michigan School of Public Health (UM-SPH) partnered to implement the Urban Truth research project. The goal of Urban Truth was to collect data on point-of-purchase advertising in Flint’s African-American community. Point-of purchase advertising is the collection of ads, signs, and tobacco logos placed on the interior and exterior of local convenience stores, markets, and gas stations. The project involved a UM-SPH graduate student mentor (Ruth Mott Scholar) and four local high school students (Ruth Mott Explorers) in team building activities, mentorship, and intensive training in college preparatory skills, observational research techniques, and the effect of tobacco products and marketing practices. Modeling ImpacTEEN’s national point-of-purchase advertising study, the Scholar and Explorers surveyed more than 100 stores in and surrounding Flint. For several weeks, the team worked from a minivan and drove from convenience stores to gas stations collecting data on density and placement of tobacco advertisements and related products. Overall, the findings suggest that retail establishments located in Flint’s African-American community have a greater number of tobacco advertisements than stores in non-minority communities. Retail establishments in the Black community have approximately 25% more interior tobacco advertisements and almost 60% more exterior ads than in comparison areas. Additionally, a greater number of these advertisements are placed at a child’s eye level. The data collected from this study will be used to develop community advocacy and anti-tobacco marketing campaigns.
Learning Objectives:
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.