The goal of the National Network on Tobacco Prevention and Poverty (NNTPP) is to engage key organizations serving low SES populations in tobacco control efforts and to assist them with resource development and assessments, technical assistance, capacity building, and evaluation to prevent and reduce tobacco use in low-income communities.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) individuals have poorer health, exhibit fewer healthy behaviors, and are less likely to pursue preventive health care. These underserved populations are multi-ethnic, multi-cultural communities having little to no resources that provide tobacco education or control services. Throughout the U.S., children and adults in low SES populations suffer disproportionately from tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Clearly, there is a need to network groups and organizations servicing low SES populations in a national effort to reduce tobacco use. Connecting such groups is one of NNTPP's goals.

NAATEN/NNTPP National Conference a Success              Photos     Conference Program

Many thanks to all those who supported the Health Education Council's (HEC) first national conference, Promising Practices from the Field: Tobacco Control Strategies for Priority Populations. As you may have read in our prior newsletters, this conference highlighted two HEC programs - the National African American Tobacco Education Network (NAATEN) and the National Network on Tobacco Prevention and Poverty (NNTPP) - as well as the work of other agencies and organizations seeking to eliminate tobacco-related disparities.   

Over 200 people attended our conference, representing 32 different states and Canada.  While we are still compiling data from conference evaluations, anecdotally we've received an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from attendees. Much of the conference's success can be attributed to both excellent speakers and NNTPP/NAATEN Stakeholders, who played a major role in the conference by moderating, speaking and facilitating. Speakers Dr. Greg Holzman (Chief Medical Officer, State of Michigan), Heaster Wheeler (Executive Director, Detroit Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and Michael Stoops (Acting Executive Director, National Coalition for the Homeless) have our gratitude for their excellent presentations/speeches, and we'd also like to give thanks to our generous sponsors: the American Legacy Foundation, the Michigan Department of Community Health, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and Way 2 Quit .

Here's what some conference attendees have been saying:

"I was overwhelmed by the professional level of the conference - from the registration materials, to the poster sessions, the opening and subsequent key note sessions, the cadre of speakers, presentations, workshops, and materials provided....If you or your staff were wondering what level of impact you and NNTPP were having on constituents across the United States and Canada, you need not wonder or look further.  The enthusiasm, energy, and commitment of those attending can not be overlooked!"
- Paul Freyder, The Salvation Army, PA

"Those of us from New Mexico thought that Promising Practices from the Field was SUPER!!!"

-Coletta Reid, Stop Tobacco On My People (STOMP), NM

Conference Presentations                        Wednesday: 
Tobacco's Targeting of African American and Low SES Populations: Selling Dependence, Ill Health and Death
Greg Holzman, MD, MPH
                               
A Blueprint for Success: Building Meaningful Bridges in West Virginia
Kathy Danberry, MS; Brandy Huffman, MA; Rev. James Patterson.

Bringing Everyone Along: Prevention and Poverty
Marva Brooks; Vicki Stauffer

Embracing Community Wisdom: "Washington State Model"
Shelley Cooper-Ashford

The Creation of STOMP: New Mexico's Statewide Tobacco Disparities Network
Coletta Reid

Tobacco Cessation for West Virginia's Incarcerated Populations
Bruce Adkins

Totally Tobacco-Free Prisons - Outcomes and Insights
Stephen Hansen, M.D.

Incorporating Other Voices
Pat McManus, PhD.

Leadership in Tobacco Control: Working Across Populations
Kevin T. Collins, MPA

Assessing Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding
Tobacco Use among Priority Populations in Arizona: Development of the Arizona Tobacco Control Strategic Plan
Wayne Tormala

Early Childhood Programs Promoting Cessation
Paul Zemann, BA; Sarah Ross-Viles, MPH

A Colorado Model for Tobacco Prevention, Education and Cessation
Jill Bednarek, MSW

Thursday:
Tobacco Monologues
Brandie Flood; Janelle Okorogu

Promoting Rather than Prohibiting: Youth Advocacy in Action
Ashley Herrin, BA

Smoking Habits and Prevention Strategies in Low Socioeconomic Status Populations
Robert Anderson, MA

Tobacco Education and Cessation for Alaskans
Joie Brown

Bringing Evidence Based Research Initiatives to Disparate Groups with Evaluation
Tinesha Peterson, MPH

Innovative Approaches to Reducing Tobacco Use and
Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Among Low-SES Populations
Craig Mosbaek, MPH; Maureen Rumptz, PhD; Julie Maher, PhD

Using Cessation Interventions and Support to Create
Systems Change
Roger Valdez, MA

The Michigan Initiative to Implement Cancer and Tobacco Control into Health Centers
Lynda Meade, MPA

Making Your Tobacco Program Welcoming for People with Disabilities
Larry Lorenzo, M.Ed; Lisa McNiven, B.A.

Serving Urban American Indians and Low Income Immgrants
Marisa Ramos, MA

How Can Dental Professionals Get Involved
Lavern Holyfield, DDS

Black Caucus of Health Workers of the American Public Health Association: Lessons Learned in Tobacco Control Initiatives
Claude Jacob, MPH

Black Cardiologists are Making a Difference in Tobacco Control
Paul Underwood, MD

Profiles From On the Ground at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Al Richmond, MSW

NEWS
Tobacco use and Poverty linked
Michael Stoops of the National Homeless Coalition, Dr. Bob Anderson and Sandra Wilson stopped by SuperTalk Arkansas to discuss the link between tobacco use and poverty. 

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