HIV and Tobacco
Keeping with DCTFF’s goal of reducing tobacco-related health disparities, DCTFF is focusing efforts on the issue of high rates of smoking in the HIV community.
The District has the highest rate of HIV infection in the nation, with one in 20 residents testing positive for HIV. Tobacco use greatly impairs the ability of the immune system to function properly and the ability of HIV medications to be properly absorbed, which is a particular concern for HIV+ smokers. It has been determined that tobacco use prevalence in the HIV community can be as high as 60 to 70%. Given the serious problems that can arise for HIV treatments in particular, DCTFF has convened a workgroup with two primary goals—1) to launch a public education campaign to raise awareness among HIV smokers how tobacco use negatively impacts their overall health outcomes, and outcomes associated with their HIV treatment; and 2) to raise awareness among healthcare providers how important it is to conduct an intervention for HIV+ smokers at every patient encounter to encourage them to quit.
In May 2009, DCTFF commissioned Witeck-Combs Communications to conduct a series of 4 focus groups with HIV+ smokers. The data and analysis from the groups are being used to create new anti-smoking advertising and education outreach for HIV+ smokers in DC. Utilizing the new anti-smoking themes and messaging developed from the focus group research, DCTFF and its working group members will run targeted smoking cessation grassroots outreach, advertising and education programs. All messaging will link HIV positive smokers to the District’s free Quitline, which provides free nicotine patches and lozenges if the smoker enrolls in the counseling protocol and provides community referrals to support group programs.
An HIV and Tobacco Dependence Treatment training was held for District HIV/AIDS providers on September 16 and 17 at United Medical Center. The two-day training was conducted by physicians and psychologists from the University of Medicine and Dentistry at New Jersey, and addressed the unique and critical clinical issues of tobacco dependence treatments related to HIV/AIDS treatments.
The new ad campaign is due out in mid-August and will be placed on/and around Metro bus and train stations on a variety of bus transportation placecards, information kiosks, and other public transit advertising spaces, and in clinics and healthcare provider offices.
Click here to view the DCTFF HIV and Tobacco Workgroup White Paper.
Click here to view or download the HIV and Tobacco Focus Group Report.
For more information about the HIV and Tobacco Workgroup contact Charles Debnam at charles.bdc@umc-foundation.org or dial 202-574-6920.
HIV and Tobacco Workgroup Members:
American Lung Association of DC
CDC Community Planning Group-CPG
Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS
DC Dept. of Health HIV/AIDS Administration
Family Medical Services
National Minority AIDS Council
Planned Parenthood-Ophelia Egypt