Joys and tribulations of faith-based youth tobacco use prevention: a case study in Mississippi.
Faith-based health promotion initiatives are resurging in popularity among health promoters and providers, but few programs are systematic, large-scale, and funded at the state level. One exception is an initiative by the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi (PHM), a nonprofit organization funded by tobacco settlement monies. PHM funded churches and other faith-based organizations to implement a grassroots youth tobacco use prevention program to coincide with other community- and school-based efforts. In the 2-year evolution of this faith-community health partnership, PHM experienced both successes and challenges. This article outlines the history of tobacco use prevention and control programs within Mississippi's faith community, provides a brief case study of two churches, and makes 10 recommendations based on lessons learned.
Reinert
Bonita
B
Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA.
Campbell
Catherine
C
Carver
Vivien
V
Range
Lillian M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D003256:Community Participation; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008922:Mississippi; D012067:Religion; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention