Study in progress: Barriers to Effective Tobacco-Dependence Treatment for the Very Poor

UW-Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) is conducting a study focusing on Milwaukee's poorest neighborhoods. Using zip codes to narrow the participant pool the findings of their research are astonishing.  First, a little more about the area and survey participants. Demographics for the area are as follows: 52.3% female 28 median age 56.4% African American 31.3% White 7.8% Latino $12,832 per capita income with 33% living below the federal poverty line 56% have a high school diploma or less in terms of education In more simple terms this is a relatively young population, primarily African American, and very poor. The intention of the study was to examine what prevents people in the neighborhood from accessing cessation services. It was discovered that 42% of the population smokes, more than twice the state average of just under 20%. Below are some of the findings: participants who smoked thought that most other people smoke as well 2/3 thought it was ok to smoke so long as it didn't affect others 50%+ thought the medication used to quit smoking were more dangerous than continuing to smoke 50%+ had not heard about the Wisconsin Quitline 38% have never tried to quit This study is still in progress so please check back for more information about reaching challenging populations.