 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Nichole Hildebrandt, BS, CIRCLE Project, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, 527 SW Hall, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97201, 5032284185, nhildebrandt@npaihb.org
It is estimated that 22.4% of U.S. teenagers smoke, and nearly 90% of all adult smokers began using tobacco before age 21. Consequently, it is vital that we prevent adolescent tobacco use before life-long patterns of addiction and dependence develop. AI/AN high school students have the highest smoking rates in the U.S. when compared to all other racial and ethnic groups (males, 41.1%, females, 39.4%). Thus, the participation of AI/AN youth is an important element in mobilizing tribal community members around issues of tobacco. Adolescents often have a greater understanding of the range of prevention methods and optimal avenues for delivery that will reach their peers within their local community.
From various regions of Indian Country around the U.S., the CIRCLE project selected six AI/AN youth and six AI/AN adult mentors to conduct tobacco prevention projects in their respective tribal communities. The youth and adult mentors participated in an intensive two-day Leadership Institute focusing on the skills they would need to create and implement successful projects. The youths selected for this program have proven their leadership capabilities by developing culturally appropriate tobacco prevention projects for their communities with the help of a team of peers. The mentors that were selected to participate in this program are all leaders in their community, and have helped their young people collaborate with other coalitions and tribal programs to broaden the impact of their tobacco prevention efforts. This program is an efficient and effective model for involving youth in community-based tobacco control efforts.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Tobacco Control, American Indians
Related Web page: www.tobaccoprevention.net
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.