Background
This health equity orientation framework utilizes a “flipped classroom model” where new CTPTP staff and partners learn the content on their own time, then schedule a shortened (30 minute) Meet & Greet with staff that focuses on relationship building, their questions, and any identified TTA needs.
Process Overview
- Watch the Health Equity 101 Modules
- Explore the Health Equity Planning Tool
- Explore the Health Equity Hub Resources
- Read the Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program (CTPTP) resources below.
- Schedule a Meeting with the Tobacco Disparities & Health Equity Coordinator
Tobacco and Health Equity
Health disparities are differences in the health between groups that arise from broad social inequities. It is important to note that different health outcomes are not the same as health disparities. Moreover, health disparities adversely affect people or groups that face social or economic barriers to accessing care and services based on group identity (i.e., race, region, gender, geography, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, etc.).
Health inequities are a subset of health disparities where disparities stem from the differences in social, economic, environmental, or healthcare resources. It is imperative to understand the existing health disparities that could arise from inequities in the community you serve, otherwise well-intentioned strategies may have no effect on or widen health inequities.
See below for examples of health disparities and health inequities related to commercial tobacco use.
- Health Outcome: People smoke cigarettes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Health Disparity: A higher proportion of people who identify as African American smoke cigarettes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Health Inequity: A higher proportion of people who identify as African American smoke cigarettes due to an increased number of tobacco retailers in predominately African American neighborhoods in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The CTPTP is focused on decreasing rates of disease among people who are disproportionately targeted and impacted by commercial-tobacco. Specifically, populations include:
- People Who Identify as African American
- People Who Identify as American Indian
- People Who Identify as LGBTQ+
- People of Low Socioeconomic Status (SES)
- People With Behavioral Health Concerns
The CTPTP aims to increase health equity through preventing initiation and decreasing prevalence rates among people from Wisconsin who are disproportionately impacted by the burden of commercial tobacco. Currently, this includes education surrounding flavors (including menthol), smoke-free air, and Tobacco 21 (T21).
Flavors (including menthol)
Flavored tobacco products mask the harshness of tobacco and are particularly appealing to youth. Flavors and menthol can lead to behaviors among new tobacco product users that can lead to long-term addiction, as well as tobacco-related disease and death. More information here.
Smoke Free Air
In 2010, Wisconsin passed a smoke-free air law to protect Wisconsin residents from secondhand smoke exposure in indoor public spaces. This law prohibits the smoking of cigars, cigarettes, pipe, or other lighted smoking equipment indoors in most indoor public spaces. However, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. More information.
- Smoke Free Air Statistics (pages 21-27)
- Smoke Free Air Disparities
Tobacco 21 (T21)
In 2019, a federal law was passed to raise the minimum age for tobacco sales of electronic nicotine delivery systems, cigarettes, cigars, pipe and hookah tobacco, and smokeless tobacco to 21. The federal law applies to all United States (US) retailer shops, including US territories and Tribal jurisdictions. However, Wisconsin has not passed a corresponding Tobacco 21 state law which causes confusion among retailers and purchasers and contributes to heightened youth commercial tobacco and tobacco product use. More information.