Calif. Tobacco Program Loses Impact After Initial Launch
The California Tobacco Control Program, which initially demonstrated impressive results by boosting the rate of decline in cigarette consumption, now is barely making a difference, according to a new study by the University of California at San Diego.
The tobacco program was a voter initiative launched in January 1989 as a statewide consumer effort to reduce health costs associated with smoking. It was supported with about $87 million in funding, according to researchers.
The initiative mandated funding for mass media anti-tobacco campaigns; local health agencies to provide technical support and monitor adherence to antismoking laws; community-based interventions; and school-based prevention programs.
During the early years of the program from 1989 to 1993 - when funding was at its highest - the rate of decline for smoking cessation in California increased 36 percent, nearly twice the country's rate of decline. However, from 1994 to 1996, the decline slowed to less than one-third of the rate observed from prior years.
The mediocre campaign results in recent years are attributed to a 40 percent reduction in funding and the increased advertising presence of the tobacco industry, according to the study's authors, who suggest modifying the tobacco control program to regain its original momentum. (University of California at San Diego, Nancy Stringer, 619/543-6163)
Teens Are Heeding Safe-Sex Messages
Abstinence and safe-sex campaigns that target teens are working. The percentage of teens who are sexually active - particularly males - is declining, according to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. And those teens who are having sex are more likely to practice safe sex with condoms.
According to the study, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report last month, fewer high school students are engaging in behaviors that place them at risk for HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. This finding reverses earlier trends of higher sexual activity among adolescents in the 1970s and 1980s.
Most recently, the prevalence of sexual experience among high school teens, defined as "ever having sex," declined 11 percent in 1997 compared to 1991. In males, the decline was 15 percent, from 57.4 percent to 48.4 percent.
The report included data from more than 55,000 teens, age 14 to 17, enrolled in high school in 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997. It can be found online at http://www.cdc.gov. (CDC, 404/693-3311)
Breast Cancer Survivors Say Web Is Key Resource
Breast cancer survivors rely heavily on Web-based health information to help them cope with the disease, according to a new survey by Sapient Health Network (http://www.shn.net), a free online health information and support site for people with chronic illnesses.
More than 90 percent of the participants surveyed believe that online information has improved their ability to manage breast cancer, indicating a strong level of trust for Web-based health information.
SHN, based in Portland, Ore., surveyed 250 members of its breast cancer community to determine the reasons why they go online for information and support and to learn how the information is used. The online service has more than 9,000 registered members in its breast cancer community and more than 120,000 members overall.
Key findings include:
- 66 percent of those surveyed share the information they find online with their physicians.
- Of those doctors whose patients shared online information, 77 percent responded positively to the information and 7 percent changed their patients' course of treatment based on the shared information.
- 70 percent of respondents say the most important reason why they use online information and support sites is to gain access to medical information. (SHN,503/299-9944)