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Lang AE, Porter KJ, Krukowski RA, Wester AG, Pilehvari A, Little MA. U.S. Military Tobacco and Nicotine Policy Lagging Behind the Times. Am J Prev Med 2024; 66:380-383. [PMID: 37813172 PMCID: PMC10841421 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Edward Lang
- Department of Primary Care, McDonald Army Health Center, Fort Eustis, Virginia; Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
| | - Kathleen J Porter
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Rebecca A Krukowski
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Abigail G Wester
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Asal Pilehvari
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Melissa A Little
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Kong AY, Golden SD, Ribisl KM, Krukowski RA, Vandegrift SM, Little MA. Cheaper tobacco product prices at US Air Force Bases compared with surrounding community areas, 2019. Tob Control 2021; 31:e169-e174. [PMID: 34907089 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In March 2017, the US Department of Defense (DoD) implemented a policy requiring all military stores to set tobacco prices equal to 'prevailing prices' in the 'local community' adjusted for state and local taxes. We compared tobacco product prices in a sample of retailers located on five Air Force Bases (AFBs) in Texas and Mississippi with those sold in nearby off-base stores. METHODS We constructed a list of on-base and off-base tobacco retailers. Off-base retailers included stores that were located within a 1.5-mile road network service area from main AFB gates. Between July and September 2019, a trained auditor visited 23 on-base and 50 off-base retailers to confirm tobacco product sales, and documented the price of cigarettes and Copenhagen smokeless tobacco. For each area, the median price for each product, as well as the difference in median prices by on-base versus off-base status, was calculated. RESULTS The median price of cigarettes and smokeless products was cheaper at on-base retailers. All products were cheaper at on-base stores in Fort Sam Houston and Lackland AFB. Similarly, all products were cheaper in on-base stores at Keesler AFB, with the exception of Marlboro Red packs ($0.22 more), and at Sheppard AFB with the exception of cheapest cigarette cartons ($6.26 more). CONCLUSION Despite the implementation of the new DoD policy, tobacco products are cheaper in on-base retailers compared with off-base retailers. Refining of the definitions used and improved compliance with the new DoD policy are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Y Kong
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.,Family & Preventive Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.,Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shelley D Golden
- Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kurt M Ribisl
- Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca A Krukowski
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sara M Vandegrift
- Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Melissa A Little
- Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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3
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Cruz TB, Rose SW, Lienemann BA, Byron MJ, Meissner HI, Baezconde-Garbanati L, Huang LL, Carroll DM, Soto C, Unger JB. Pro-tobacco marketing and anti-tobacco campaigns aimed at vulnerable populations: A review of the literature. Tob Induc Dis 2019; 17:68. [PMID: 31582956 PMCID: PMC6770621 DOI: 10.18332/tid/111397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We reviewed research literature on pro-tobacco marketing and anti-tobacco campaigns targeting eight vulnerable populations to determine key findings and research gaps. Results can inform tobacco policy and control efforts and the design of public education campaigns for these groups. METHODS Five journal databases in medicine, communication, and science, were used to identify 8875 peer-reviewed, original articles in English, published in the period 2004-2018. There were 144 articles that met inclusion criteria on pro-tobacco marketing or anti-tobacco campaigns aimed at eight US groups: women of reproductive age, racial/ethnic minority groups (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native), Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) populations, groups with low socioeconomic status, rural/inner city residents, military/veterans, and people with mental health or medical co-morbidities. We summarized the number of articles for each population, type of tobacco, and pro-tobacco or anti-tobacco focus. Narrative summaries were organized by population and by pro-tobacco or anti-tobacco focus, with key strategies and gaps by group. RESULTS There were more studies on pro-tobacco marketing rather than anti-tobacco campaigns, and on cigarettes rather than other tobacco products. Major gaps included studies on Asian Americans, American Indian/Alaska Natives, pregnant women, LGBT populations, and those with mental health or medical co-morbidities. Gaps related to tobacco products were found for hookah, snus, and pipe/roll-your-own tobacco in the pro-tobacco studies, and for all products except cigarettes in anti-tobacco studies. Common tobacco industry methods used were tailoring of product and package design and messages that were used to reach and appeal to different sociodemographic groups. Studies varied by research design making it difficult to compare results. CONCLUSIONS We found major research gaps for specific groups and tobacco products. Public education campaigns need a stronger foundation in empirical studies focused on these populations. Research and practice would benefit from studies that permit comparisons across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess Boley Cruz
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Shyanika W Rose
- Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute, Washington, United States.,Center for Health Equity Transformation and Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, United States
| | - Brianna A Lienemann
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - M Justin Byron
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Helen I Meissner
- Office of Disease Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | | | - Li-Ling Huang
- Global Health and Health Security, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Dana M Carroll
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States
| | - Claradina Soto
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
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Lin J, Zhu K, Soliván-Ortiz AM, Larsen SL, Schneid TR, Shriver CD, Lee S. Deployment and Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Active Duty Service Members in the U.S. Military. Mil Med 2018; 184:e183-e190. [DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among U.S. active duty service members has been much higher than in the U.S. general population. The association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use has not been well studied. We investigated the association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use among U.S. active duty service members. We also evaluated the modification effects from other factors related to smokeless tobacco use on the deployment-smokeless tobacco use association.
Materials and Methods
Eligible active duty service members stationed at two military installations (Fort Bragg, NC, USA and Lackland Air Force Base, TX, USA) were recruited from July 2015 to May 2016. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use and estimated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Stratified analysis was performed to evaluate modification effects from other commonly known factors related to smokeless tobacco use in military, specifically, cigarette smoking status, use among family members (family history of use), perception of harm, and use among military peers.
Results
Out of 2,465 study participants who completed the questionnaire, 548 were smokeless tobacco users. Service members who had been deployed to a combat zone had 1.39 fold (95% CI = 1.03–1.87) increased odds of using smokeless tobacco than those who never deployed to a combat zone. The odds of smokeless tobacco use among those who had been deployed once, twice, three times and four or more times to a combat zone were 1.27 (95% CI = 0.91–1.78), 1.30 (95% CI = 0.85–1.99), 2.49 (95% CI = 1.45–4.28), and 2.88 (95% CI = 1.71–4.86), respectively, with a significant dose–response trend (p for trend <0.0001). Further, subjects who served in combat units during deployment exhibited more than two-fold increased odds of use as compared with those who had never been deployed (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.41–2.93). In stratified analysis, the association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use was only present among subjects who never smoked cigarettes, those without family history of smokeless tobacco use, and those who had low perception of harm of use.
Conclusions
Military deployment was associated with smokeless tobacco use among active service members. However, the influence of military deployment on smokeless tobacco use was not equally strong on all service members. Subjects who never smoked cigarettes, who had no family history of use and who had low perception of harm were the most susceptible subgroups to deployment-related smokeless tobacco use. This study has implications to identify high-risk subgroups to reduce smokeless tobacco use in the U.S. military.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lin
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Rockville, MD
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - Kangmin Zhu
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Rockville, MD
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - Aida M Soliván-Ortiz
- Postgraduate Dental College, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, San Antonio, TX
| | - Stacy L Larsen
- Postgraduate Dental College, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Fort Bragg, NC
| | - Thomas R Schneid
- Postgraduate Dental College, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston, TX
| | - Craig D Shriver
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Rockville, MD
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sukhyung Lee
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Rockville, MD
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
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5
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Bursac Z, Klesges RC, Little MA, Linde BD, Popova L, Kaplan CM, Talcott GW. The comparative effectiveness of two brief tobacco interventions in the U.S. Air Force: Perceived harm and intentions-to-use of tobacco products. Tob Induc Dis 2018; 16:26. [PMID: 31516426 PMCID: PMC6659509 DOI: 10.18332/tid/87142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brief health prevention programs have been shown efficacious in prevention of tobacco use initiation and re-initiation in the US Air Force. In this manuscript we apply a comparative effectiveness assessment of two published studies, based on testing the equality of effect sizes for perceived harm and intentions-to-use for five tobacco products. METHODS We calculate and compare the effect sizes from the brief tobacco intervention (BTI) study (N=1055) with those of the anti-tobacco media campaign (MEDIA) study (N=665), for perceived harm and intentions-to-use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigarillos, e-cigarettes and hookah, among Airmen in the US Air Force Technical Training. Univariate and multivariate parametric and non-parametric methods and models were applied to compare the outcomes between the interventions. In addition, we calculate and report the cost of each intervention per Airman. RESULTS Effect sizes for perceived harm were 0.24–0.99 for BTI and 0.17–0.33 for MEDIA, while intentions-to-use effect sizes were 0.14–0.34 for BTI and 0.01– 0.07 for MEDIA, depending on the product. BTI intervention effects sizes were significantly greater than MEDIA intervention for all products, mainly among past users, and for both perceived harm (all p<0.0001) and intentions-to-use (all p<0.01). Cost per Airmen was comparable between the two interventions, $14.90 for BTI and $16.52 for MEDIA. CONCLUSIONS Direct comparison suggests that BTI produced effect sizes of significantly higher magnitude in the desired direction for perceived harm and intentions-to-use, for five tobacco products most commonly used by the Airmen, and mainly among past users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Bursac
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, United States
| | - Robert C Klesges
- Center for Addiction and Prevention Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
| | - Melissa A Little
- Center for Addiction and Prevention Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
| | - Brittany D Linde
- Organizational Wellness and Learning Systems, Fort Worth, United States
| | - Lucy Popova
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Cameron M Kaplan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, United States
| | - Gerald W Talcott
- Center for Addiction and Prevention Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
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London AS, Herd P, Miech RA, Wilmoth JM. The Influence of Men's Military Service on Smoking Across the Life Course. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2016; 47:562-586. [PMID: 31467452 DOI: 10.1177/0022042616678617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The military is described as a social context that contributes to the (re-)initiation or intensification of cigarette smoking. We draw on data from the 1985-2014 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) to conduct complementary sub-studies of the influence of military service on men's smoking outcomes across the life course. Descriptive findings from an age-period-cohort analysis of NSDUH data document higher probabilities of current smoking and heavy smoking among veteran men across a broad range of cohorts and at all observed ages. Findings from sibling fixed-effects Poisson models estimated on the WLS data document longer durations of smoking among men who served in the military and no evidence that selection explains the observed relationship. Together, these results provide novel and potentially generalizable evidence that participation in the military in early adulthood exerts a causal influence on smoking across the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pamela Herd
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Popova L, Linde BD, Bursac Z, Talcott GW, Modayil MV, Little MA, Ling PM, Glantz SA, Klesges RC. Testing antismoking messages for Air Force trainees. Tob Control 2015; 25:656-663. [PMID: 26482786 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Young adults in the military are aggressively targeted by tobacco companies and are at high risk of tobacco use. Existing antismoking advertisements developed for the general population might be effective in educating young adults in the military. This study evaluated the effects of different themes of existing antismoking advertisements on perceived harm and intentions to use cigarettes and other tobacco products among Air Force trainees. METHODS In a pretest-post-test experiment, 782 Airmen were randomised to view antismoking advertisements in 1 of 6 conditions: anti-industry, health effects+anti-industry, sexual health, secondhand smoke, environment+anti-industry or control. We assessed the effect of different conditions on changes in perceived harm and intentions to use cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookah and cigarillos from pretest to post-test with multivariable linear regression models (perceived harm) and zero-inflated Poisson regression model (intentions). RESULTS Antismoking advertisements increased perceived harm of various tobacco products and reduced intentions to use. Advertisements featuring negative effects of tobacco on health and sexual performance coupled with revealing tobacco industry manipulations had the most consistent pattern of effects on perceived harm and intentions. CONCLUSIONS Antismoking advertisements produced for the general public might also be effective with a young adult military population and could have spillover effects on perceptions of harm and intentions to use other tobacco products besides cigarettes. Existing antismoking advertising may be a cost-effective tool to educate young adults in the military.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Popova
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Brittany D Linde
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Zoran Bursac
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - G Wayne Talcott
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mary V Modayil
- Institute for Population Health Improvement, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Melissa A Little
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Pamela M Ling
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Stanton A Glantz
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Robert C Klesges
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Poston WSC, Haddock CK, Jahnke SA, Hyder ML, Jitnarin N. A content analysis of military commander messages about tobacco and other health issues in military installation newspapers: what do military commanders say about tobacco? Mil Med 2015; 180:708-17. [PMID: 26032388 PMCID: PMC4455037 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-14-00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Military installation newspapers are a primary means used by military commanders to communicate information about topics important to military personnel including leadership, training issues, installation events, safety concerns, and vital health issues. We conducted a content analysis of military commanders' messages about health issues that were published in online military installation newspapers/newsfeeds. We identified a total of 75 publicly accessible installation newspapers/newsfeeds with commanders' messages (n = 39 Air Force, n = 19 Army, n = 7 Navy, n = 1 Marine, and n = 9 Joint Bases). Commander messages published from January 2012 to December 2012 were collected, screened, and coded. Coder inter-rater reliability was 98.9%. Among the 2,479 coded commanders' messages, 132 (5.3%) addressed a health topic as the primary focus. There were no significant differences between service branches in the percentage of health-oriented messages (χ(2) = 5.019, p = 0.285). The most commonly addressed health topics were exercise/fitness (23.5%), other mental health concerns (19.7%), alcohol/driving under the influence (13.6%), and suicide (12.1%). Tobacco use was directly addressed as a primary health aim in only two commanders' messages (1.5%). Health topics, and particularly tobacco-related content, are rarely written about by military commanders. The absence of tobacco-related health messages from line leadership contributes to the perception that tobacco control is a low priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker S C Poston
- National Development and Research Institutes, Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
| | - Christopher K Haddock
- National Development and Research Institutes, Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
| | - Sara A Jahnke
- National Development and Research Institutes, Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
| | - Melissa L Hyder
- National Development and Research Institutes, Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
| | - Nattinee Jitnarin
- National Development and Research Institutes, Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
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Jitnarin N, Poston WSC, Haddock CK, Jahnke S. Health in the news: an analysis of magazines coverage of health issues in veterans and military service organizations. Mil Med 2015; 180:539-46. [PMID: 25939108 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-14-00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to conduct a content analysis of Veterans and Military Service Organizations (VMSOs) magazines to determine what health-related topics VMSOs target and how they inform their constituencies about health issues. Health-related topics in 288 VMSOs' magazines from 21 VMSOs published in 2011 and 2012 were coded by trained raters using a standardized manual. The top three most addressed health topics were Health Services (Health care, Insurance), Disability and Disability benefits, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Topics least frequently covered were Tobacco and Smoking cessation, Illegal drugs, Alcohol, Gulf War Syndrome, and Weight and Body composition. VMSOs are concerned about the health and well-being of their members given the considerable amount of content devoted to certain health topics such as health insurance concerns, disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, other health concerns that affect a considerable number of both current military personnel and veterans and cost both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense millions annually, such as drug and alcohol problems, and tobacco use and smoking cessation, are infrequently covered. The results of this study improve our understanding of the health-related information that reaches the military and veteran populations through this important media outlet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattinee Jitnarin
- Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, NDRI-MA, National Development and Research Institutes, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
| | - Walker S C Poston
- Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, NDRI-MA, National Development and Research Institutes, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
| | - Christopher K Haddock
- Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, NDRI-MA, National Development and Research Institutes, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
| | - Sara Jahnke
- Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, NDRI-MA, National Development and Research Institutes, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224
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Poston WS, Haddock CK, Jahnke SA, Jitnarin N. What do veterans service organizations' web sites say about tobacco control? Am J Health Promot 2013; 28:88-96. [PMID: 23631454 PMCID: PMC3778046 DOI: 10.4278/ajhp.120905-qual-426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Little is known about veterans service organizations (VSOs) and their perspectives on veterans smoking or military tobacco control. Veterans have high smoking rates and many started smoking in the military, where a culture promoting use exists. DESIGN A qualitative content analysis of VSO Web sites was conducted to classify health topics and identify tobacco-related information. SETTING Web sites were coded by trained raters from January to June of 2011. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed from July 2011 to January 2012. SUBJECTS Twenty-four active VSO Web sites meeting inclusion criteria were rated independently. MEASURES A comprehensive form was used to code 15 veteran-relevant health topics across multiple content areas/domains within the Web sites. Raters achieved 94.5% interrater agreement over nearly 5000 data points. ANALYSIS Health content was coded as present or not within multiple VSO Web site areas/domains. The frequency of coverage by each VSO Web site and the number of VSO Web sites that mentioned a health topic in different Web site areas/domains were tabulated. RESULTS A total of 277 health topics were addressed, with the top five being insurance/Tricare/Veterans Administration issues (28.2%), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 15.5%), disability/amputation/wounds (13.4%), Agent Orange (10.5%), and traumatic brain injury (9.0%). Tobacco was mentioned four times (1.4%) across all 24 VSO Web sites, and smoking cessation was never addressed. CONCLUSION VSO Web sites provide little information on tobacco-related topics and none offered information about smoking cessation. Given the high rates of tobacco use among veterans and active-duty service members, and the interaction between smoking and PTSD symptoms and treatment outcomes, VSOs should consider making tobacco control and smoking cessation higher-priority health issues on their Web sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker S.C. Poston
- Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 1920 West 143 Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224, Phone: 913-681-0300 office,
| | - Christopher K. Haddock
- Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 1920 West 143 Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224, Phone: 913-681-0300 office,
| | - Sara A. Jahnke
- Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 1920 West 143 Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224, Phone: 913-681-0300 office,
| | - Nattinee Jitnarin
- Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 1920 West 143 Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224, Phone: 913-681-0300 office,
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Hoffman KM, Poston WSC, Jitnarin N, Jahnke SA, Hughey J, Lando HA, Williams LN, Haddock K. A content analysis of tobacco control policy in the U.S. Department of Defense. J Public Health Policy 2011; 32:334-49. [PMID: 21368849 PMCID: PMC3149762 DOI: 10.1057/jphp.2011.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a content analysis of the US military tobacco policies at the Department of Defense, each respective military service (Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps), and their Major Commands (MAJCOM). Ninety-seven policies were evaluated using the Military Tobacco Policy Rating Form (MTPRF). More than three quarters addressed the following domains: (1) deleterious health effects of tobacco use; (2) environmental tobacco smoke; (3) designation of smoking areas; (4) tobacco prevention/cessation programs; and (5) smokeless tobacco. Few policies (2.1 per cent) mentioned relevant Department of Defense and respective service tobacco use prevalence statistics. Smoking as non-normative or incompatible with military service, the impact of tobacco use on military readiness, and the tobacco industry were addressed infrequently (6.2 per cent, 33.0 per cent, and 8.2 per cent, respectively). Future military tobacco policies should address important omissions of critical information such as the current service tobacco use prevalence, effects on readiness, and smoking as non-normative.
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Poston WSC, Suminski RR, Hoffman KM, Jitnarin N, Hughey J, Lando HA, Winsby A, Haddock K. Military line leadership and tobacco control: perspectives of military policy leaders and tobacco control managers. Mil Med 2010; 175:811-6. [PMID: 20968274 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-10-00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite progress in policy changes, tobacco use rates are still high in the military. Little is known about the views of those who create and implement tobacco control policies within the Department of Defense. These individuals determine what policy initiatives will be developed, prioritized, and implemented. We conducted key informant interviews with 16 service-level policy leaders (PLs) and 36 installation-level tobacco control managers (TCMs). PLs and TCMs believed that line leadership view tobacco control as a low priority that has minimal impact on successful mission completion. They also identified cultural factors that perpetuate tobacco use, such as low cost and easy accessibility to tobacco, smoke breaks, and uneven or unknown enforcement of current tobacco policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker S C Poston
- National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224, USA
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