Tobacco-related Health Disparities Coalition

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Tobacco Control Program convened statewide tobacco disparities strategic planning workgroup developed the Louisiana Tobacco-Related Health Disparities Strategic Plan. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Tobacco Control Program provided funding for the planning process through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health (CDC-OSH). In 2006, CDC-OSH awarded funds to Louisiana and several other states in an effort to address the goal of Identifying and Eliminating Tobacco-Related Health Disparities. These grants were for projects to convene a strategic planning process around tobacco-related health disparities.

The disparities strategic planning workgroup has reconvened as the Louisiana Tobacco-Related Disparities Coalition and will work to implement and market the disparities strategic plan for Louisiana. One of the goals of the coalition is to coalesced around the mission of addressing and eliminating tobacco-related health disparities in Louisiana.  They will support the implementation of the plan in several ways. 

The Workgroup envisioned a continuing role for themselves and expressed their desire to promote this plan across Louisiana in various communities and through multiple venues. They emphasized their perceived role in marketing and implementing the goals. 

The Workgroup plans to work with the Louisiana Tobacco Control Program (LTCP) and The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) as follows:

- Facilitate implementation of the plan

- Educate others about the plan
- Disseminate tobacco control information

 - Advocate

- Collaborate with other stakeholders

- Work with local communities and networks

- Liaison to specific populations

- Assist in media marketing

- Provide technical support, i.e. grant writing

Working with the LTCP and TFL, The Workgroup will meet four times a year to review and update the plan, and monitor progress toward the goals.  They begin meeting in the fall 2007 to develop a plan to accomplish the above strategies.
  

Tobacco Related-Disparities Statewide Coalition Members