NOSM University and Lakehead University researcher and joint faculty member, Dr. Patricia Smith, is exploring options to expand access to evidence-based smoking cessation interventions.<\/p>\n
The project has received $302,413 in funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund (HCCF). First Response Mental Health will be partnering on the grant with matched in-kind funding and a customized version of their PeerConnect proactive peer support management app.<\/p>\n
Smoking remains the single most preventable cause of premature death and disease in Canada, causing more than 40 diseases and other serious health outcomes, and is the leading cause of lung cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are subgroups of the population that have disproportionately high rates of smoking, which puts them at increased risk for serious health conditions,\u201d says Smith.<\/p>\n
Age is a major factor: a high proportion of people under 45, especially males, smoke. Smoking is also higher among those with less than a high school education, people in the lowest income groups, members of LGBTQI2S+ communities, Indigenous peoples, people with mental health conditions and\/or substance use disorders, and people in rural and remote settings.<\/p>\n
Research shows that smoking cessation programs offering at least eight sessions and focusing on behaviour change strategies are more effective at helping people quit compared to trying to quit on one\u2019s own, brief interventions, or smoking cessation medications.<\/p>\n
However, \u201cfew people use behavioural programs, often because there is no access to programs or the services do not meet people\u2019s needs,\u201d says Smith. \u201cThis project will explore what people\u2019s needs are and what services exist to match those needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cResearchers at NOSM University are committed to changing health outcomes for Northern Ontarians,\u201d says Dr. David Marsh, Associate Dean, Research, Innovation and International Relations.<\/p>\n
Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead University\u2019s Vice-President, Research and Innovation, congratulated Dr. Smith for receiving this funding and thanked PHAC for its continued support.
\n\u201cThis\u00a0important work will allow the research and implementation\u00a0of smoking cessation programs led by Dr. Smith to reach target\u00a0populations where smoking rates\u00a0are disproportionality\u00a0higher than in the general population,\u201d Dr. Dean said. \u201cPrevention is the key to many diseases and perhaps no more so than with diseases related to smoking.\u201d<\/p>\n