Connecting Alaska Native People to Quit Smoking

The prevalence of smoking among US adults is highest among American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons; however, there are a lack of tobacco cessation interventions developed specific to this disparity group. Social media holds promise as a scalable intervention strategy to promote engagement in treatment and cessation outcomes for Alaska Native (AN) people. Researchers plan to develop and pilot test a culturally relevant, Facebook delivered intervention to promote smoking treatment uptake and cessation among AN smokers. The Facebook content will include a digital storytelling approach adapted from the effective Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Tips from Former Smokers educational mass media campaign. The project builds on the researcher team's longstanding tobacco control research partnership with the AN community and was informed by their understanding of cultural factors that can both impede and encourage cessation in this population. If the pilot intervention is successful, researchers will have a blueprint to conduct a large randomized controlled trial. The researchers long-term objective is to develop interventions for AN tobacco users that will ultimately reduce their risk of tobacco-caused disease and mortality.