Vital Signs
Fighting Tobacco Disparities in the Gay Community
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons are 50% to 200% more likely to smoke than the rest of the population, according to the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network. That’s one of the highest smoking rates of any minority group in the U.S. In 2005, the American Cancer Society estimated that over 300,000 LGBT people die each year from tobacco-related diseases. Given the tobacco industry’s well-documented history of aggressively marketing its products to racial/ethnic minorities and women, it’s no surprise that Big Tobacco targets this community, too—e.g., by offering financial support to LGBT festivals, bars, media and local organizations.
Still another factor contributing to LGBT smoking disparities is a lack of anti-smoking interventions that are culturally tailored to this population. To help close that information gap, the Boston-based National LGBT Tobacco Control Network offers a wealth of culturally competent resources for both smokers and health care professionals. For example:
• Fact sheets on topics like LGBT people and tobacco, smoking and HIV, and anti-tobacco community organizing.
• Smoking cessation strategies and tips for smokers and clinicians.
• A national directory of LGBT tobacco control professionals and projects.
• An online resource library with links to LGBT tobacco control events, publications, research, Web sites and downloadable LGBT-friendly anti-smoking materials.
• An annual LGBT Tobacco Summit that brings together tobacco control leaders from across the country to share solutions and best practices. This year’s summit will be held on June 9 in Phoenix, Arizona.
To further promote the sharing of information about what’s working in LGBT tobacco control efforts, the network publishes a quarterly newsletter, Sharing Our Lessons, that showcases successful model programs. A recent issue featured an in-depth case study of a Minnesota project that helped make the state’s tobacco quitlines more accessible to LGBT people.
For more information, visit www.lgbttobacco.org.
Similar Articles
- Advice for Increasing Minority Cancer Screening Rates: THINK POSITIVE!
- Asian American Women Missing Out on Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Risk
- Skin Color Contributes to Clinical and Justice Disparities for Black Rape Victims
- Cultural Competence to Become Part of Hospital Accreditation Process
- UF College of Nursing Receives Over $1 Million for Minority Health Research
Featured Content
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
SCHOOL: Mercy College of Northwest Ohio DEGREES: Associate Degree DESCRIPTION:St. Elizabeth Campus, Youngstown, Ohio: Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2009!
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at St. Elizabeth is now accepting applications for the Fall 2009 term. We will begin reviewing applications starting in January 2009. Submit your completed application today! Questions? Please email us at stelizabeth@mercycollege.edu or give us a call at (888) 80-MERCY.
READ MORE READ ALLEMPLOYER
NAME: University of Washington Medical Center LOCATION: Seattle, WA DESCRIPTION:Located in Seattle, University of Washington Medical Center provides comprehensive primary care services and serves as a regional referral and treatment center for specialized medical care. Recognized as the first Magnet* hospital in the U.S., our commitment to nursing excellence has been honored for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time — the only hospital in the world to achieve this — and serves as a testament to our dedication to our staff.
READ MORE READ ALLJOB POSTING
POSITION: Associate Degree Nursing Faculty (2) EMPLOYER: Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas DESCRIPTION:Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas is seeking qualified applicants for two (2) Associate Degree Nursing Faculty positions. These are full-time, nine month positions, with full college benefits:
1. Stuttgart Campus – Satellite Program
2. Helena Campus
READ MORE READ ALL