Nicotine Research and Program Development

At a recent meeting of the Delta Tobacco Control Alliance, presentations were made about YKHC's nicotine research projects.

Nicotine Research Projects
The Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control provide funding and collaboration with YKHC for continuing research efforts within our region. In 2006 research began that focuses on nicotine use during pregnancy.  One study is a case review of medical records to learn the relationship between smokeless tobacco use and adverse pregnancy outcomes.  The results found will be used to develop public health messages to alert pregnant women to the dangers of chew.  The other study is creating a culturally relevant behavioral approach to tobacco cessation for pregnant Alaska Native women.  This project has conducted focus groups and created a video to use in cessation counseling of pregnant women.  This project is currently recruiting participants through February 2008. 

The results of this research assists YKHC and the Nicotine Treatment Program in developing state-of-the-art treatment protocols and clinical interventions.  The ongoing collaborative research effort in 2007/2008 between YKHC, the Mayo Clinic, the CDC and ANTHC promises to bring more funding and continued efforts in our mutual goal of reducing tobacco-related disease and morbidity among our population here in the Delta.