title: Quitlines a tool for research and dissemination of evidence-based cessation practices.
abstract: Quitlines in the United States have grown dramatically over the past 15 years, from one state and a handful of health plans to all 50 states and over 200 health plans and employers. Over half a million tobacco users received help from state quitlines alone in 2005. Research to confirm and improve quitline effectiveness also has burgeoned, with multiple meta-analyses confirming a dose-related treatment effect. Quitlines are increasing the depth and breadth of services offered, including the integration of medication support and other electronic communication mediums such as web and e-mail. Quitlines have the capacity to serve a larger fraction of the population than they currently serve. Accomplishing this is dependent on creating ambitious, multi-institution funding and delivery mechanisms, as well as further research and development to improve reach, effectiveness, and efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. Tim.McAfee@freeclear.com
authors.forename: Timothy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: McAfee
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014481:United States