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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Calvin James, MPH, Alison Tartaglia, CHES, TAS, and Cynthia Livingston, MSW. Office of Government and Community Relations, Drexel University, 1505 Race Street, Bellet Building,6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-762-4905, alison.tartaglia@drexelmed.edu

Currently, it is estimated that 296,900 (26.2%) adults in Philadelphia smoke cigarettes either everyday or some days. Gender specific smoking percentages reveal similarities between men (28.4%) and females (24.4%) that exceed both Pennsylvania State and national patterns. Although rates of smoking are comparable within the city, research findings have confirmed that there is a variety of gender specific influences on smoking, quitting and attempting to quit that occur. With elevated levels of gender specific smoking rates among residents, particularly among low-income adults, education, and cessation programs are needed to: 1) understand the gender differences in smoking behaviors that may be reflective of the differences in lived experiences and value systems; 2) help change cultural norms and beliefs as they relate to those differences; 3) raise awareness of available cessation resources; and 4) provide support for those wanting to quit. To better understand these issues, Drexel University's Tobacco Control Project has developed gender specific programs (e.g., Men, Women, & Pregnant Women) based on determinants of smoking such as geographic location, age, income, education and ethnicity. The programs are based on components of the American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking Curriculum. They were designed to gather information on the target populations and to focus on the specific issues that affect men and women when they are attempting to quit. In addition, innovative outreach methods have been established to target resident members through networking and partnering with community organizations that focus on underserved populations.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe gender specific factors that affect tobacco use, quitting and attempting to quit.
• Discuss gender appropriate cessation programs for inner-city smokers.
• Propose recommendations for future research and smoking cessation programs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered