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

Abstract #122101

Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, Texas Dept of State Health Services, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756, (512) 458-7363, Eduardo.Sanchez@dshs.state.tx.us

Leadership at the Texas Department of State Health Services recognizes the importance of making a logically compelling case for the investment of public resources in a broad spectrum of health initiatives, encompassing public health, mental health and substance abuse.

Tobacco cessation programs in Texas provide an instructive example. The Texas Tobacco Prevention Initiative, which targeted 4 east Texas counties with high rates of lung cancer, was an evidence-based program which demonstrated that a comprehensive approach could reduce smoking rates dramatically (19% for adults, 36% for adolescents) at a cost of $3 per resident in the 4-county area.

Similar programs in other Texas cities (El Paso and Amarillo) achieved similar results. When the Texas Tobacco Prevention Initiative experienced a reduction in funding, they ended the program in Harris County, which includes Houston. Harris County smoking rates then increased to a level similar to areas of Texas that have no tobacco prevention initiatives.

The result is clear evidence that comprehensive interventions work with tobacco, and it may be possible to quantify the economic costs and benefits to communities of implementing these interventions or maintaining the status quo. This allows decision-makers to make an informed calculation of their return on investment.

Clearly, evidence based practices lead to consistent outcomes and measurable results. A question for discussion is whether the lessons learned from tobacco cessation programs provide a template for other initiatives involving mental health, substance abuse, obesity or other public health programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Several localities have moved explicitly in the direction of evidence-based health policy making. This presentation will feature a city public health commissioner to focus on the benefits and challenges of using science for setting priorities and establishing policies for health.

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.

Recorded presentation