'Thank you for not smoking' - the inequity of this 'ask.'

For this week's Cool Cancer Research find, we dive into tobacco use, ways we help smokers quit smoking, and stark realities of inequity. Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, claiming over 8 million lives annually. In the U.S., smoking is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths, with approximately 480,000 preventable deaths each year, including 41,000 from secondhand smoke exposure. While overall smoking rates have decreased over the last few decades, looking further into the numbers tells a stark story of inequity: 24% of individuals from low socioeconomic status backgrounds smoke, compared to just 15% of the general population. Tragically, these disparities contribute to a higher risk of cancer among disadvantaged populations.

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Communities with lower socioeconomic status not only smoke at higher rates but also face significant barriers to quitting, such as limited access to resources to stop smoking, higher stress levels, and fewer interactions with healthcare workers. Approximately 40% of individuals with low socioeconomic status in the U.S. lack a primary care physician, an important way to receive advice and support to quit smoking. This deficiency leaves millions of people underserved, and continuing to face health risks tied to tobacco use.

Enter the V Foundation grantee Dr. Marcia Tan, PhD, MPH at the 美国芝加哥大学 and her recently published research focused on community health workers: trusted members of the communities they serve, uniquely positioned to address health disparities. Defined by the World Health Organization as “health care providers who live in the community they serve to meet unmet health needs in a culturally appropriate manner,” community health workers build rapport with patients and tailor care to their specific circumstances. Their role goes beyond healthcare - they address the social determinants of health, offering culturally competent care that traditional healthcare systems often overlook.

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Dr. Tan adapted an evidence-based tobacco cessation curriculum specifically for community health workers. Dr. Tan’s innovative approach combined interviewing, tailoring it to the realities community health workers encounter in the field.

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Dr. Tan and team gathered feedback from community health workers and managers to refine the training, emphasizing the need for key language and motivational techniques that resonate with the patients they serve. Key findings highlighted from Dr. Tan's study highlight the importance of equipping community health workers with tools to address patients’ unique circumstances and barriers, laying the groundwork for a more equitable approach to tobacco cessation.

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The the V Foundation support for this project illustrates our commitment to advancing health equity. Smoking is responsible for nearly 30% of all cancer deaths and preventing tobacco use has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives annually. By funding research that empowers community health workers - who are often the first line of defense in underserved communities -the V Foundation is helping to bring lifesaving care to those who need it most.

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This work doesn’t just aim to reduce smoking rates; it seeks to transform the future of cancer prevention and care. For every person who quits smoking, the risk of cancer and other tobacco-related diseases drops significantly, proving that prevention is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against cancer. Thank you Dr. Tan and team for this incredible and impactful work!

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With tobacco cessation training tailored for community health workers, the V Foundation is bridging the gap between underserved communities and life-saving resources. This initiative ensures that more people - regardless of their socioeconomic background - can access support to quit smoking and lead healthier lives. It’s one more way the V Foundation is advancing its mission to achieve Victory Over Cancer, while addressing health disparities head-on.

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Find Dr. Tan’s lab at https://chatlab.uchicago.edu/meet-the-team/ and read the paper at How Community Health Workers can Address Tobacco Dependence of High-Risk patients: A Qualitative Analysis of the Unique Training Needs of Community Health Workers .

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