Project SUN: A Culturally Adapted Youth Smoking Cessation Program for AIAN Youth

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Presenter:
Dr. Claradina Soto (Navajo/Jemez Pueblo)
Associate Professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
Director for the Initiative for California American Indian Health Research and Evaluation

Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this activity, the healthcare team will be able to:

1. Explore the development and goals of Project SUN.
2. Analyze the challenges and successes of implementing culturally adapted smoking cessation programs.
3. Examine the study findings on the effectiveness of Project SUN in reducing commercial tobacco use among AI/AN youth.
4. Discuss the importance of cultural adaptations in public health initiatives and their impact on community engagement and outcomes.

Description:

This presentation delves into Project SUN (Stop the Use of Nicotine), an innovative, evidence-based smoking cessation program specifically designed for American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) youth. Given the alarming rate of commercial tobacco use among AIAN youth—up to 42%—this program represents a critical intervention. Adapted from Project EX by Dr. Steve Sussman and further refined by Native American experts, including USC professor Claradina Soto and community consultant Lou Moerner, Project SUN integrates culturally relevant elements such as Talking Circles and distinctions between commercial and traditional tobacco use.

About Dr. Soto:

Dr. Claradina Soto (Navajo/Jemez Pueblo) is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and the Director for the Initiative for California American Indian Health Research and Evaluation. She has over 20 years of partnering with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in public health, collaborating with urban and Tribal communities in California to reduce and prevent mental health disparities, cancer prevalence, commercial tobacco use, and substance use and opioid use disorders. She teaches courses in the Master of Public Health and Health Promotion programs at USC and mentors undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Soto is a longtime advocate for the AI/AN communities and other priority populations to advance health equity and reduce health disparities.

Target audience:

Physicians, nurses, health educators, administrators, and support staff working with American Indian and/or Alaska Native populations.

Full webinar archive and resources: https://keepitsacred.itcmi.org/project-sun-a-culturally-adapted-youth-smoking-cessation-for-american-indian-alaska-native-youth/