The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67974

Makani Themba-Nixon, Elva Yañez, MS, Marta Vizueta, and Berti Mo. The Praxis Project, 1750 Columbia Rd, NW, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20009

Given the importance of local policy initiatives in effective tobacco control and the prevalence of tobacco related problems in communities of color, it is critical that a more concerted effort be undertaken to strengthen the capacity in these communities to engage in policy advocacy. This session will examine best practices, barriers, and lessons learned from work to advance tobacco control policy advocacy in communities of color. Presentations will focus on how "mainstream" institutions have worked to support and sometimes thwart this work as well as explore some of the cutting edge approaches community groups are developing to address the unique challenges facing advocates in these settings. Special attention will be paid to strategies to address budget cuts and funding mechanisms, community organizing methods and successful researcher-advocate collaborations using participatory action research modalities.

Proposed Program: (please consider all but discussant section as separate abstracts as well)

"Clean indoor air policies and communities of color: Challenges and opportunities," Elva Yanez (10 minutes)

"Are jurisdictions with significant concentrations of communities of color more or less likely to have tobacco control ordinances?" Makani Themba-Nixon (10 minutes)

"The Other Tobacco Wars: Policy Advocacy Case Studies in Communities of Color" (40 minutes - 10 minutes for each presenter) Fannie Haughton, Ed.D, Juan Carlos, Ruiz, Janet Robideau, and Marta Vizueta

Discussant Panel: "Tobacco Control as Social Justice in Communities of Color: What Can We Learn From Other Racial Justice Movements?" (15 minutes) Vernellia Randall, JD; Francis Calpotura, MA

15 minutes Q&A follows

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will: learn the mechanics of policy development in local, communities of color; learn about new, innovative models for approaching tobacco control in communities of color; learn best and promising practices for institutional support for community-based policy advocacy learn best and promising practices for community-based policy development and researcher-advocate collaboration; articulate culturally competent strategies to increase involvement of communities of color in policy initiatives.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Ethnic Minorities

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.