Implementation of Statewide Tobacco Training and Cessation in Prevention through Collaborative Education and Service Linkages in Florida

INTRODUCTION: Florida has a long-standing history in tobacco prevention efforts. Of adults who smoke, 89 percent began when they were 18 or younger with 20 percent of all deaths in Florida attributed to cigarette smoking leading to a significant drain on state's resources - both human and financial. The focus is based on CDC Best Practices in Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs and Clinical Practice Guidelines: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, employing evidence-based recommendations in prevention and training to health care providers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and implement Tobacco Training and Cessation strategies with health providers, health professions students and the associated communities, utilizing evidenced-based outcomes to promote collaborative public-private partnerships and targeted demonstration projects.

METHODS: Describe the development and implementation of Florida AHEC Network Tobacco Cessation Initiative in each targeted county that includes improving access to cessation services targeting persons who live in medically underserved areas and serving as a catalyst for the training of current and future health professionals on tobacco cessation and prevention.

RESULTS: An enhancement in tobacco cessation programs in counties, resulting in the education of practicing providers, placement of trained tobacco cessation specialists at community-based sites, distribution of culturally and linguistically appropriate patient education materials and the building of community resources in currently underserved communities.

CONCLUSIONS: A multiple approach was employed to reach out to communities through numerous local and regional efforts utilizing several modalities. A longitudinal plan was implemented to document the outcome and effectiveness of the prevention strategies.