KEYS TO SUCCESS WITH LOW SES
Prioritizing Tobacco Control Interventions For
Delivery to Low Income Californians
1. The first target among low income smokers is the ninety percent
(90%) of California families living below or near the federal poverty
level who are employed.* Most “working poor” are
families with children, who are eligible for Medi-Cal. The parents in
these households often work more than one low-wage job, strive mightily
for economic stability and hope to see their children escape poverty.
Although at least one adult in the household is employed, these families
are often eligible for certain forms of public assistance such as food
stamps, subsidized housing and/or medical services through community clinics.
A direct avenue to reach this group with tobacco control
messages and interventions is through medical and social service providers.
2. The second target of low income smokers is a much smaller
group that is often or chronically unemployed and relies on some form
of public assistance from year to year. In order to maintain
home and health, they rely on public assistance such as food stamps, Section
8 housing and/or medical services provided by community clinics long-term.
This group can also be reached through medical and social
service providers.
3. The third and smallest segment of low income smokers in California
is comprised of those who are rarely able to access and sustain gainful
employment and do not have a permanent residence. This group
makes use of shelters and feeding programs regularly. Homeless Californians
sporadically use public medical services … usually when a health
crisis occurs. It should be noted that single-parent households with children
might become homeless on a temporary basis due to catastrophic economic
events such as job loss, medical disaster or divorce. Often, they return
to categories 1 or 2 above after short-term assistance from shelters and
feeding programs. Reaching the long-term homeless population
through medical and social service providers is possible, but more difficult.
Once we prioritize, how can we deliver our message?
Through Collaboration with existing Low Income Service Providers such
as:
- Community Clinics
- ESL Classes
- Cal-Works and other job programs
- Immigration Classes
- Veterans Groups
- Prenatal Programs
Further Collaboration is possible within the California tobacco control
universe:
- American Cancer Society (which has designated Low SES residents a
priority for their programs), American Lung Association and American
Heart Assoc.
- California Smokers’ Helpline
- Prop 10 Commissions
- 21 New Priority Population Planning Grantees
Where can we deliver our message?
Where Low SES residents receive services:
- Community Clinics
- Social Service Agencies
- Low Income Housing Agencies
- Veterans Groups
- Faith-based Feeding and Housing programs
Where Low SES residents congregate:
- Trade, Technical and Vocational Schools
- Check Cashing Outlets
- Laundromats
- Beauty and Barbershops
- Raceways
- County Fairs
- Public Parks
- Discount Retail Stores
How about media for Low SES?
Low income Californians obtain much of their public health information
from television and radio and from family and friends. They generally
do not rely on daily newspapers for information and news. Low Literacy
media with clear, positive messages are the key.
Community-based media that has been found to effectively reach some segments
of low income smokers in California includes ads in public buses, laundromats
and check-cashing outlets and information delivered through trade and
vocational schools.
*California Budget Project Annual Report Dec. 2004
RESPECT
Resources and Education Supporting People Everywhere Controlling Tobacco
Phone (916) 739-8925 Email respect@jps.net Web www.respect-ala.org
RESPECT is a statewide project of the American Lung Association of the
East Bay. RESPECT’s purpose is to provide public health agencies
and community-based organizations with reliable information, respectful
and relevant educational materials and strategic technical assistance
to reduce the 30% smoking rate of California’s Low Socio-Economic
Status (Low SES) community and to protect Californians from exposure to
Second Hand Smoke. Made possible by Grant 04-35307 - CA Dept. of Health
Services, Tobacco Control Section. © 10/06
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