Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111770

Leah M. Ranney, PhD, Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 Airport Road, UNC-CH CB# 7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, 919-843-1341, leah_ranney@unc.edu, Cathy L. Melvin, PhD, MPH, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and Smoke-Free Families National Dissemination Office, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 Airport Road, CB # 7590, Chapel Hill, ND 27599-7590, and Catherine Rohweder, DrPH, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, UNC-Chapel Hill, CB# 7590, 725 Airport Road, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590.

Purpose: This study evaluated collaborative efforts and methods used by the National Partnership to Help Pregnant Smokers Quit. Launched in May 2002, this diverse coalition of over 60 leading government, health, and philanthropic organizations is dedicated to helping pregnant women become smoke-free. The National Partnership is implementing an Action Plan to provide effective clinical and community-based interventions to every pregnant smoker in the United States

Method: Volunteer representatives from partner organizations formed five working groups in 2002 to implement evidence-based strategies. Working group members identified a core set of objectives and established benchmarks to gauge their progress. On monthly teleconferences, they work together to develop, implement, and support activities to achieve their benchmarks. Telephone interviews were conducted individually with co-chairs (i.e., facilitators) of each working group to capture their experiences and evaluate their group process.

Results: Data will be presented on how co-chairs 1) perceived their role, 2) evaluated the process used to develop benchmarks, strategies and products, 3) rated their group's progress towards the benchmarks, 4) assessed the benefits and costs of being a Partner, and 5) defined success for the National Partnership.

Conclusions: Findings will illustrate how partners understand and evaluate their role in a national coalition and how partnerships between health services and community organizations can work to accomplish shared goals. Attendees will learn to identify key elements needed to develop and sustain successful working groups.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will learn to identify key elements needed to develop and sustain successful working groups.

Keywords: Tobacco, Pregnancy

Related Web page: www.helppregnantsmokerquit.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.