Six area healthcare providers were recently awarded a cooperative 2010 Health Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Grant from the Healthy Ohio initiative and the Ohio Department of Health. A combination of health departments and hospitals are working together, each providing their expertise toward one goal – to prevent and reduce tobacco use.
The health departments of Erie, Huron and Sandusky counties, as well as Fisher-Titus Medical Center, The Bellevue Hospital, and Mercy Willard Hospital are partnering together and offering a variety of programs for area residents.
“We are exceptionally pleased to have been awarded this grant and to have the opportunity to reach the area’s school aged children with prevention measures, as well as cessation programming for individuals who are currently smoking, “ David Pollick, Health Commissioner, Sandusky County Health Department said.
The Health Departments will focus on youth prevention while the hospitals are focusing on tobacco cessation programs.
As part of the youth prevention activities, the health departments are utilizing Tobacco Prevention Coalitions, Life Skills Training Program, and Stand Teams.
Programs will be held in conjunction with the area’s Tobacco Prevention Coalitions to enhance the awareness of the negative effects of tobacco use.
“The health departments will be working with schools to present the Life Skills Training classes. The program is free to schools and will address alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and other skills necessary for making healthy decisions,” Tim Hollinger, Health Commissioner for the Huron County General Health District, said. The Stand Teams are made up of 12 to 18 year olds working together on projects to stand up and speak out against tobacco use.
Fisher-Titus Medical Center, The Bellevue Hospital and Mercy Willard Hospital will be offering individual and group tobacco cessation programs at a variety of times, location and dates. Some classes may also be available at area business worksites. Each hospital will be providing nicotine replacement therapy as part of this grant, which runs through June 30, 2010. There is limited availability of the nicotine replacements available at each facility, so it is very important to call to schedule a time with the cessation specialist at each hospital.
“We are focusing on increasing public awareness of the number of programs available to help people quit smoking,” Pete Schade, Health Commissioner, Erie County Health Department said. “Along with all of the hospital and health department programs, we will also be referring to the Ohio Quit Line to increase their success rates.” Studies have shown that by calling 1-800-QUIT NOW, people will be 5 times more likely to succeed because of the support of the Quit Line’s advice, counseling and other services.
The 2006 Ohio Adult Tobacco Survey shows that 22.3 percent of adults in Ohio currently smoke cigarettes compared to the U.S. rate of 19.7 percent. Roughly 60 percent of these smokers have attempted to quit at least once over the past year, an only 18 percent of them were successful.
For additional information for services available in your area, contact:
Tobacco Cessation:
Kim Bailey, RRT, CTTS Fisher-Titus Medical Center 419-663-1975, Ext 6320
Terry Webb, CTTS, RRT, RCP The Bellevue Hospital 419-483-4040, Ext. 4244
Jane Laughbaum, RN, BSN, CTTS Willard Mercy Hospital 419-964-5000