Learning Objectives: Learn about a successful target program.
Abstract:
Problem/Objective:In Wisconsin 10% of people over 65 smoke (about 70,000). Older smokers face unique challenges. Seniors lack access to cessation programs and cessation medications are not covered under Medicare. For these reasons, and others, UW-CTRI partnering with GHC Puget Sound, and the WWHF decided to target seniors with donated patches and Quitline services. Within four months the patch supply was exhausted; 2.6% of seniors smokers sought treatment.
Methods:: Promotion of the program consisted of six news conferences held in six cities around the state and over 245 organizations and individuals were invited to participate in the promoting the Senior Patch Program. Callers 65 and over who were willing to engage in the most intense counseling program through the Quit Line were also offered a six-week supply of patches. By September 2003 results of the program evaluation (a stratified random sample of seniors who called) reporting quit rates and satisfaction with services will be available and will be presented.
Results: Long held misconceptions about older smokers not wanting to quit were dispelled. There were over 1841 callers over 65 and 1300 enrolled in intensive counseling; 1099 of them received patches. Early evidence indicates a high quit rate among seniors participating in this program.
Conclusions:Seniors are not only interested in quitting but will eagerly pursue and utilize medications and Quit Line counseling when offered. In the absence of an advertising budget, a program targeted to a disparate population can be effectively promoted through community-based efforts.
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Back to Cessation, Nicotine, and the Science of Addiction
Back to The 2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (December 10-12, 2003)