Learning Objectives: Describe the background and organization of Minnesota’s Diverse Racial Ethnic Groups and Nations (DREGAN) participatory research and action project to measurably reduce tobacco use in the state’s communities of color. Explain the DREGAN project’s approach to understanding and measuring the cultural context of tobacco use, drawing on qualitative and quantitative research methods. State the preliminary results from qualitative research on the cultural influences on tobacco use in four Southeast Asian (Hmong, Vietnamese, Laoatian, and Cambodian) and the Latino communities in Minnesota.
Abstract: Audience—This panel presentation will describe Minnesota’s Diverse Racial Ethnic Groups and Nations (DREGAN) project, a participatory research and action project designed to measurably reduce tobacco use in Minnesota’s communities of color. It will interest the tobacco control community working on tobacco in American communities of color and racial/ethnic disparities.
Key Points—The DREGAN project began in 2000 as a collaborative participatory research and action project, building upon networks organized by the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco (MPAAT) in the Minnesota Latino and four Southeast Asian (Hmong, Vietnamese, Laoatian, Cambodian) communities. Organizing efforts continue among African-Americans and Native Americans. The panel will describe the principles of the collaboration between the funding partners, MPAAT and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and the network partners in each community.
The panel will present the approach developed by the partners to understanding the cultural context of tobacco use, which incorporates anthropological principles of culture and society. The research begins in spring, 2002 with 120 key informant interviews and sixteen focus groups conducted in native and English languages by trained interviewers. Quantitative research will follow, using concepts and methods informed by the qualitative results. Preliminary results from the interviews and focus groups will be discussed.
Educational Experience—Presentations will use didactic and Socratic approaches, asking participants to compare and contrast their experiences with those presented by panelists.
Benefits—Participants will see a successful collaboration between diverse partners in action and learn about the cultural context of tobacco in five communities of color.
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