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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Eric F. Chrisp, MA¹, Linda J. Peņaloza, PhD¹, James Padilla, MS², and Willa Ortega, MS¹. (1) Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of New Mexico, MSC 11 6145 1 University Blvd. NE, 2703 Frontier RIB 1st floor, Albuquerque, NM 87131, 505-272-4462, EChrisp@salud.unm.edu, (2) Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Unit, New Mexico Department of Health, 5301 Central Ave. NE, Suit 800, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Background: Identifying and eliminating tobacco-related health disparities is a primary goal of the New Mexico Department of Health and the University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center. Disparities among specific populations have well established implications for human rights. Groups facing oppression are at greater risk of developing addictions and/or suffering negative health consequences from tobacco. Two problems were clear at the outset of this project: the need for more state specific information and for more involvement from affected communities. Methods: Ten focus groups, each in a different priority population, took place in Spring 2005. The intention was to fill data gaps, inform a strategic planning process with diverse participation and to prologue more in-depth investigations in select communities in the future. Focus groups asked participants to rank the relative importance of tobacco in comparison to other health priorities and probed why community specific health disparities exist. Results: Focus group analysis reached preliminary conclusions as to why tobacco disparities exist among certain population segments, such as the tendency for lesbians to suffer from depression and self medicate with tobacco and the replacement of ceremonial tobacco with commercial tobacco in religious ceremonies among some American Indian groups. Conclusions: New Mexico is actively engaged in addressing tobacco related health disparities and is involving affected communities in meaningful ways. The data gathered through this collaborative effort influenced the strategic planning process. The process involves members of multiple communities from across the state and has resulted in the formation of several community advisory groups.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize specific reasons why health disparities exist among certain priority populations, using New Mexico as an example.
• Identify data gaps and understand how to fill qualitative data gaps.
• Understand the need to present both quantitative and qualitative data to communities involved in addressing disparities.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered