The Surge of Illegal E-cigarettes: How Can We Respond?

State health departments play a critical role in combating the rise of illegal e-cigarettes on the market, starting with enhancing enforcement of existing regulations.

Tobacco Control News & Research – November 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – November 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Clearing the Air Part 2: Steps to Going Smokefree

CADCA’s Geographic Health Equity Alliance recently partnered with American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation to host “Clearing the Air: Steps to Going Smokefree”. This webinar offered coalitions practical advice on the steps to pursuing a local clean indoor air ordinance. The webinar slides and recording are now available.

Tobacco Control News & Research – October 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – October 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Versailles, Missouri Paves the Way, Showing the Show-Me State How Active Transportation Rolls!

Creating a safe community infrastructure that encourages walking, cycling, and other forms of non-motorized travel can significantly impact the health

Tobacco Control News & Research – September 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – September 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Clearing the Air Part 1: The Science of Secondhand Smoke

CADCA’s Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) partnered with American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation to host “Clearing the Air: Science of Secondhand Smoke”. In the webinar, Traci Kennedy showed the progress that we as a nation have made in passing local and state comprehensive smokefree policies, and where we still have gaps today. The webinar recording and slides are now available.

Tobacco Control News & Research – August 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – August 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Webinar Series: Clearing the Air

CADCA’s Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) is partnering with American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation to host a 2-part webinar series focused on helping communities prevent and reduce commercial tobacco use.

Tobacco Control News & Research – July 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – July 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Webinar Recording now Available: “Introduction to Built Environment Approaches for Addressing Health”

On May 7th Taylor March from the Missourians for Responsible Transportation (MRT) hosted part 4 of this series with a webinar titled: “Introduction to Built Environment Approaches for Addressing Health”. The webinar recording and slides are now available.

Tobacco Control News & Research – June 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – June 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Policy Tools for Rural Equity & Prosperity Webinar Series Recordings Available

June 2024, ChangeLab Solutions and the Geographic Health Equity Alliance facilitated a two-part webinar series, Policy Tools for Rural Equity & Prosperity, to explore rural policy solutions — and the policy process itself — as tools for addressing systemic barriers to health and prosperity. The recordings are now available.

The Center for Black Health and Equity’s Position on Menthol

On April 26, despite bi-partisan support and recommendations from public health partners, federal action to remove mentholated commercial tobacco products from the market was postponed. This setback is a reminder of the critical importance of local and state action in creating safe and healthy communities. GHEA would like to highlight a position statement by one of our partners, The Center for Black Health and Equity, on the important of this issue to African American communities, and a call to action for coalitions across the US.

Webinar Recording now Available: Integrating Nutrition and Healthcare: The Essentials of the Food is Medicine Initiative

Heather Latino from Harvad Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic and Meghana Sai Iragavarapu from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health hosted part 3 of “Upstream Approaches in Cancer Prevention” series with a webinar titled “Integrating Nutrition and Healthcare: The Essentials of the Food is Medicine Initiative.” The webinar recording is now available.

Cancer Control News & Research – May 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – May 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Taking Steps Towards a Commercial Tobacco-Free Future: Maryland Youth in Action!

We are thrilled to share the inspiring activities undertaken by the vibrant youth of Maryland as part of the Take Back Your 10 (TB10) youth movement, focusing on the prevention and control of commercial tobacco. On March 9, 2024, Maryland youth engaged in an eye-opening activity titled "Walking Around the Issue: Where Tobacco is Available in Your Community," aimed at raising awareness about the presence of tobacco retailers in our communities and its impact on our youth.

Webinar Recording now Available: Advocating for Policy Change to Support Expansion of Broadband Access

Dr. Whitney Zahnd from the Advancing Cancer and Rural Equity (ACRE) Lab at the University of Iowa hosted part 2 of the “Upstream Approaches in Cancer Prevention” webinar series on March 21st. This webinar, titled “Advocating for Policy Change to Support Expansion of Broadband Access”, walked through steps to articulate the need for broadband access-related policies at various levels within states and the impact that broadband access has on cancer prevention and control. Additionally, it described data sources, policy levers, and partnerships necessary to advocate for meaningful change. The webinar recording and slides are now available.

Cancer Control News & Research – April 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – April 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Webinar Recording now Available: Advocating for Policy Change to Support HPV Vaccination

Dr. Whitney Zahnd from the Advancing Cancer and Rural Equity (ACRE) Lab at the University of Iowa hosted part 1 of the “Upstream Approaches in Cancer Prevention” webinar series on February 22nd. This webinar, titled “Advocating for Policy Change to Support HPV Vaccination”, walked through steps to articulate the need for HPV vaccination-related policies at various levels within states and described data sources, policy levers, and partnerships necessary to advocate for meaningful change. The webinar recording and slides are now available.

Tobacco Control News & Research – March 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – March 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

You are Invited to Apply to the Tri-Networks Cancer Prevention Community of Practice

The SelfMade Health Network, Nuestras Voces Adelante Network, and the Geographic Health Equity Alliance are partnering to launch the Tri-Networks Cancer Prevention Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP is designed to build the capacity of National Comprehensive Cancer Control Programs (NCCCPs), Cancer Coalitions, and other partners to implement policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies that address upstream social determinants of health (SDOH) that contribute to an increased cancer burden. Applications for this CoP are due by March 7th.

Tobacco Control News & Research – February 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – February 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Upstream Approaches in Cancer Prevention Webinar Series

GHEA is partnering with SelfMade Health Network and Nuestras Voces Adelante to host a 4-part webinar series on policy, systems, and environmental change strategies that address upstream SDOH that contribute to increased cancer burden. This series will focus on HPV vaccination, broadband access, food security and the built environment. Dr. Whitney Zahnd from the Advancing Cancer and Rural Equity (ACRE) Lab at the University of Iowa will be hosting the first webinar titled, “Advocating for Policy Change to Support HPV Vaccination” on February 22nd at 1:30 PM EST. This webinar will walk through steps to articulate the need for HPV vaccination-related policies at various levels within states and will describe data sources, policy levers, and partnerships necessary to advocate for meaningful change. Registration is now open.

Tobacco Control News & Research – January 2024

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – January 2024

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Commercial Tobacco Availability and Promotion in Rural Communities

Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States. Certain policies and practices have led to significant geographical differences in the prevalence of commercial tobacco use, as well as poor health outcomes associated with commercial tobacco, within the US. The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting rural areas by offering discounts and special sales, tailored advertising, sponsoring cultural events such as rodeos, and placing commercial tobacco products in discount stores. These high-pressure marketing tactics, combined with the lack of state and local comprehensive smoke-free and retail policies, have led to longstanding disparities related to commercial tobacco product initiation, use, and cessation as well as secondhand smoke exposure and commercial tobacco-related health disparities in these areas.

Cancer Control News & Research – December 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – December 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

GHEA Receives Five More Years of Funding

CADCA’s Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA), is thrilled to announce that they have received five more years of funding from a jointly funded cooperative agreement through CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) and Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC). GHEA is a recipient of CDC-RFA-DP-23-0015: CDC’s National Networks Driving Action: Preventing Tobacco- and Cancer- related Health Disparities by Building Equitable Communities.

Tobacco Control News & Research – November 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – November 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Telehealth across the Cancer Continuum

Rural residents face unique challenges when it comes to accessing quality, comprehensive cancer care which has greatly impacted their ability to lead a healthy life. Residents of rural areas typically have limited access to cancer care specialists, relying on primary care providers for their care. Despite having a lower incidence of cancer in these areas, this lack of access to specialized cancer care has caused a higher cancer mortality rate in rural America. However, telehealth can be an effective way to improve access to cancer-related care for rural patients, from prevention to survivorship.

Cancer Control News & Research – October 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – October 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

September marks Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, a month to bring awareness to gynecologic cancers which include cervical, ovarian, endometrial, and vaginal/vulvar cancers. Around 94,000 women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers in the United States each year, 11,100 of which are cervical cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV causes six different types of cancers, including vaginal, vulvar, and cervical cancers in women. Thankfully, the HPV vaccine can help prevent these cancers.

Cancer Control News & Research – September 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – September 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Upcoming Webinar: “Barriers and Successful Strategies for Engaging Rural Populations in State Comprehensive Cancer Control Planning: Program Manager Perspectives”

Rural residents face unique challenges when it comes to accessing quality, comprehensive cancer care which has greatly impacted their ability to lead a healthy life. In an effort to address this disparity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) requires that states develop comprehensive cancer control (CCC) plans and recommends that disparities related to rural residence are addressed in these plans. Dr. Whitney Zahnd and colleagues of the Advancing Cancer and Rural Equity (ACRE) Lab interviewed state cancer control leaders on facilitators and barriers for engaging rural partners and strategies for prioritizing rural populations. Dr. Whitney Zahand and GHEA will be hosting a webinar detailing the results of this study titled, “Barriers and Successful Strategies for Engaging Rural Populations in State Comprehensive Cancer Control Planning: Program Manger Perspectives” on September 25th at 11 AM EST.

Cancer Control News & Research –August 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – August 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Building Healthier Communities to Reduce Cancer Risk

Researchers continue to uncover how health behaviors like diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and commercial tobacco use, can be risk factors for certain cancers. In fact, a recent study estimates that nearly half of all cancer deaths are associated with these potentially modifiable risk factors. Cancer prevention strategies recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) include maintaining a healthy eating pattern, regular physical activity and limited alcohol and commercial tobacco use.

Cancer Control News & Research –July 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – July 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Supporting Rural Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

June marks National Cancer Survivors Month, a time to reaffirm our awareness of and commitment to meeting the needs of cancer survivors and their caregivers.

Cancer Control News & Research –June 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – June 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

An Op-Ed on No Menthol Sunday: Policy can be placed, but the real wins lie within our communities

In celebration of No Menthol Sunday, The Center for Black Health & Equity wrote a short op-ed highlighting the dangers of mentholated tobacco and the importance of prevention work in our communities. The Center is part of Networking for Health Equity, an alliance of eight CDC-funded National Networks and is a close partner of GHEA.

Cancer Control News & Research –May 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – May 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – April 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – April 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

The Impact of the Retail Environment and Alcohol Outlet Density

The alcohol industry is quite transparent in their goals to recruit new drinkers, including women, Hispanic consumers and “beer rejectors”. One strategy that has seen growing success over the course of the last 20 years is offering new products that are sweeter and easier to drink than traditional beer or distilled spirits. These types of products are increasingly available in convenience stores, grocery stores and mass merchandisers across the country. Differences in alcohol availability can help explain why alcohol-related harms impact some communities more heavily than others.

Tobacco Control News & Research – March 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – March 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – February 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – February 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Evidence-Based Strategies in Comprehensive Cancer Control Planning

Some key components of comprehensive cancer control plans include the development of goals, objectives and strategies to address the cancer burden within the state, tribal organization or territory. These goals, objectives and strategies can help spur collaboration between partners. During a webinar from the Geographic Health Equity Alliance in partnership with the Advancing Cancer and Rural Equity (ACRE) lab, three presenters discussed different ways in which evidence-based strategies have been implemented to improve cancer screening in rural areas.

Tobacco Control News & Research – January 2023

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – January 2023

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Webinar Recording Available: Engaging Rural Partners in Comprehensive Cancer Control Planning

Collaboration is imperative for comprehensive cancer control programs and the development and update of state comprehensive cancer control plans. This webinar included a panel of cancer coalitions and comprehensive cancer control program evaluators who shared how they engaged rural partners throughout their respective states through coalition workgroups, surveys, focus groups, and other efforts. 

Cancer Control News & Research – December 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – December 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

National Rural Health Day: The Power of Collaboration to Advance Equity in Rural Cancer Control

It is a common trope in business, healthcare and many other sectors—to be effective in our work, we cannot be confined to silos. While it may be a cliché, it is also true! Collaboration is key to success in any endeavor. This is particularly true in reducing rural health inequities. As we recognize National Rural Health Day on Thursday, November 17, 2022, we know that collaboration—not working in silos—will advance cancer and rural equity.

Cancer Control News & Research – November 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – November 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Industry Marketing Tactics to Promote Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Male Youth in Rural Communities

The tobacco industry has a history of targeting populations with focused marketing tactics. These marketing tactics are used across commercial tobacco products to target various groups. Youth that live in rural places, specifically male youth, face cultural pressures to engage in smokeless tobacco product use in addition to the pressure the tobacco industry applies through targeted marketing.

Tobacco Control News & Research – October 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – October 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – September 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – September 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – August 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – August 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

GHEA’s Summer Webinar Series – Register Today!

With summer in full swing, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) is highlighting two exciting webinar series that we don’t want you to miss out on. We invite you to join us for our upcoming tobacco- and cancer- prevention and control webinars and watch the recordings of the archived webinars.

Cancer Control News & Research – July 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – July 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – June 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – June 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – May 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – May 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Strategies to Include Rural in Cancer Control Plans (An Upcoming Webinar Series)

April marks National Cancer Control Month, a time to re-affirm our awareness of and commitment to cancer control activities. The need for rural-specific cancer prevention and control activities have been increasingly emphasized in recent years, with national recommendations focusing on reducing rural cancer mortality disparities. Learn more about our upcoming webinar series on how comprehensive cancer control plans can meaningfully include rural health in their program planning processes among states, tribal organizations and territories.

Tobacco Control News & Research – April 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – April 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Protecting Local Authority to Adopt Local Solutions

In community-based prevention, researchers and professionals have realized that the best solution for one community may not be the same for another. The best solution to address problems in a community often comes from the folks most heavily impacted. Laws and policies adopted at the local level are key to improving health outcomes and reducing inequities because they are community specific solutions.

Complete CADCA’s Annual Survey Today for a Chance to Win $$$

The Annual Survey of Coalitions is CADCA’s largest data gathering effort. CADCA welcomes all community substance misuse prevention coalitions (including tobacco) to participate and share your coalitions' successes. Coalitions that complete the survey by Friday, April 22nd will be entered for a chance to win one of several gift cards! By participating in the survey and sharing your prevention activities, strategies, and successes, you enable CADCA to provide coalitions with the most up-to-date research and the resources that they need.

GHEA is Accepting Proposals for an Evaluator!

GHEA is now accepting proposals for an evaluator! The contractor will evaluate GHEA’s trainings and technical assistance to tobacco- and cancer-control programs. The deadline for submission is 5 PM EST on April 15, 2022.

Cancer Control News & Research – March 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – March 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Addressing the Off-Campus Tobacco Retail Environment to Enhance Tobacco Free Colleges

With many local and state smokefree laws not covering college or university campuses, these institutions have had to work hard to create smokefree environments on campus for their students and staff. The hard work doesn’t have to end there. Considering the off-campus retail environment in tobacco control efforts can be the perfect next step to further protecting the health of college students and their communities.

Tobacco Control News & Research – February 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – February 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – January 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – January 2022

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

GHEA Takes a Look Back at 2021

As we near the end of 2021, GHEA wishes you a happy holiday season and New Year. Thank you all for your dedication to making our country a healthier place for everyone, regardless of their location. Our feature article this month is a recap of the programs and resources we’ve developed with all our wonderful network partners throughout the year.

Tobacco Control News & Research – December 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – December 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – November 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – November 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – October 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – October 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

E-Cigarette Instagram Posts and Their Youth Appeal

Dr. Jordan Alpert presents “E-Cigarette Instagram Posts and Their Youth Appeal,” a webinar recording and accompanying article on the characteristics of popular social media posts related to electronic cigarettes on Instagram. Dr. Alpert shares the implications his research findings have for public health programs addressing media literacy skills to educate young adults about electronic cigarette content viewed on social media.

Tobacco Control News & Research – September 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – September 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – August 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – August 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

GHEA Receives Supplemental Funding to Support State Tobacco-Control Programs

CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health has awarded supplemental funding to GHEA and the seven other National Networks to promote health equity and reduce commercial-tobacco-related health disparities.

Cancer Control News & Research – July 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – July 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Banning Menthol and Other Flavored Tobacco: Now is the Time!

Michael Scott from The Center for Black Health & Equity presents “Banning Menthol and Other Flavored Tobacco: Now is the Time!” This presentation provides an overview of how Big Tobacco continues to target menthol/flavored tobacco to African American and other priority populations and shares how you can initiate or support menthol flavor bans in your community.

Cancer Control News & Research – June 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – June 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Success Stories – Youth and Tobacco Control

For years, coalitions have searched for the most effective ways to engage young people in prevention. No effort has seen greater and more lasting success in creating authentic and meaningful roles for youth than tobacco control. Guided by established best practices from the CDC, tobacco control groups have engaged and utilized young people at every level of prevention campaigns. This presentation by Nigel Wrangham, CADC II, CPS, Master Trainer for CADCA, shares evidence-based strategies to meaningfully engage and involve youth in population-level change.

Tobacco Control News & Research – May 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – May 2021

Each month, GHEA aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

The (Other) Dark Side of the Commercial Tobacco Industry

Kyra Hill, J.D., from the Public Health Law Center presents her 2021 National Leadership Forum session, “Tackling Tobacco Trash: How do we address tobacco product pollution?” The presentation addresses the commercial tobacco product pollution problem and discusses potential policy tools to tackle it.

Tobacco Control News & Research – April 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – April 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Equitable Policy Making in Commercial Tobacco Control

Derek Carr, J.D., and Jessica Breslin, J.D., from ChangeLab Solutions present “Equitable Policymaking in Commercial Tobacco Control.” This presentation addresses the importance and need for applying a health equity framework in every step of the policymaking and implementation process. It requires not only working to reduce tobacco-related health disparities, but also moving further upstream to address the social and structural determinants—the root causes—of tobacco use and poor health.

Cancer Control News & Research – March 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – March 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Geographic Surveillance Learning Collaborative 2020 – Highlights from Tobacco Control Programs

Last year, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance and Counter Tools facilitated the inaugural Geographic Surveillance Learning Collaborative for National Comprehensive Cancer Control and National Tobacco Control Programs. This month, we are highlighting some geographic surveillance efforts by the national tobacco control programs of Florida, Georgia and Indiana.

Tobacco Control News & Research – February 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – February 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Geographic Surveillance Learning Collaborative 2020 – Highlights from Cancer Control Programs

Last year, CADCA’s Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) and Counter Tools facilitated the inaugural Geographic Surveillance Learning Collaborative for National Comprehensive Cancer Control and National Tobacco Control Programs. This month, we are highlighting some geographic surveillance efforts by the comprehensive cancer control programs of Alaska, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Tobacco Control News & Research – January 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – January 2021

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Building Healthy Communities Through the Retail Environment

The retail environment provides many of the products that result in unhealthy behaviors (tobacco use, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol use). How can we create a retail environment where the healthy choice is the easy choice? Some important strategies involve addressing the availability, promotion and price of tobacco products, foods and beverages and alcohol in stores.

Tobacco Control News & Research – December 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – December 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Retailer Licensing Considerations for Rural Communities

In the United States, rates of tobacco use are higher in rural than urban populations, yet rural communities often lack the tobacco control policy coverage present in more urban areas. While there are several reasons why policy adoption may be more challenging in rural areas, some rural communities have found success with local-level tobacco control policies.

Tobacco Control News & Research – November 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – November 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Using the Science of Story Building

The tobacco industry is infamous for using marketing and messaging to market their products to children and marginalized populations, and to influence tobacco legislation. For public health advocates to be successful in fighting against these harmful strategies, we must ensure that when we communicate, we aren’t yelling into the wind, but are strategic in our purposes and using the best of what social science teaches us. This month’s feature article explores how to use story building to move beyond awareness-raising and inspire belief and behavior change.

Cancer Control News & Research – October 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – October 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Step Into the World of Your Audience

When it comes to promoting healthy behaviors and the causes we care about, why do people have such wildly different responses? Despite our best work communicating for a safe, drug- and tobacco-free community, we often face resistance to real change. Research shows that building effective communications strategy requires us to look beyond our personal interests and focus instead on the people we’re supporting and what they care about most.

Tobacco Control News & Research – September 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – September 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Reducing Tobacco Disparities with Minimum Floor Price Laws

According to the Surgeon General, raising the price of tobacco products is one of the most effective strategies for reducing initiation, decreasing consumption and increasing cessation. While excise taxes are a common strategy for increasing tobacco prices, minimum floor price laws are another promising non-tax strategy with the potential to reduce health disparities.

Cancer Control News & Research – August 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – August 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Effective Law & Policy: Incorporating Equity at Every Stage

Natasha Phelps, J.D. from the Public Health Law Center presents “Effective Law & Policy: Incorporating equity at every stage.” This presentation addresses the need and blueprint to identify, incorporate, and maintain equity in all stages of public health law and policy work so that it is effective.

Cancer Control News & Research – July 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Tobacco Control News & Research – July 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure: A Social Justice Issue

Many states and localities have adopted comprehensive smoke-free laws. However, there are over 58 million Americans still exposed to secondhand smoke today. A closer look at which communities are left unprotected reveals clear health inequities and points to a need for smoke-free protections for all as a strategy to advance social justice.

Tobacco Control News & Research – June 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – June 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

How to Engage Rural Communities with Strategic Communications

Building support for smoke-free policies and interventions requires strategic communications that can capture the attention of rural communities. To create effective communications, advocates need to develop messages and tactics that connect to what a community cares about and share these messages in places where they know their audience is looking. By Rakeem Robinson, Center for Public Interest Communications

Tobacco Control News & Research – May 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – May 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Place Matters for our Health, and Tobacco Retailers Play a Significant Part

Over the last few years, several corporate-owned chains and franchise stores have made commitments to reducing youth tobacco access. Conversely, other franchises have started selling tobacco, which has increased tobacco retailer density in some regions. These changes can have a significant impact on a community's tobacco retail market depending on the geographic location of that community. By: Elizabeth Gerndt, Counter Tools

Tobacco Control News & Research – April 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – April 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This page is updated regularly throughout the month.

Welcome to the Geographic Health Equity Alliance

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the new website for the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA), a CADCA Initiative.

Tobacco Control News & Research – March 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based tobacco control and geographic health disparities. This post is updated regularly throughout the month.

Cancer Control News & Research – March 2020

Each month, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA) aggregates the latest news and research related to place-based cancer control and geographic health disparities. This post is updated regularly throughout the month.

Coalitions Work and Social Change Happens

According to the CDC, a state’s tobacco control program cannot be considered truly comprehensive unless coalitions within individual communities are created to actively advocate for policy change. Coalitions can drastically improve the efforts of a comprehensive program.

Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening

Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Fortunately, there is an effective means of prevention, through one of several relatively simple CRC screening tests.

Emerging Public Health Challenge: Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)

Probably the most urgent, and confusing, issue in the world of smoking prevention is the rising popularity of e-cigarettes. So much is unknown about the health risks, and that is worrisome to many health professionals, including those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Rebecca Barn” Debuts in West Virginia

In collaboration with CDC, Greg Puckett, and Scott Hagan, aka The Barn Artist – among others – GHEA participated in the unveiling of the “Rebecca Barn”, the first in the nation to feature a Tips from Former Smokers campaign personality.

Great Stuff About Snuff: Smokeless Tobacco Burns

The Great American Spit Out occurs today. Yes, CADCA is encouraging our coalitions to give your community members permission to spit. Permanently.

A Southern Approach to Tobacco Control

Tobacco Prevention in a Southern Tobacco State: A Perspective on North Carolina’s Approach Saying that tobacco has an important place in North Carolina’s history is something of an understatement. Tobacco leaves are carved into state government buildings and helped build some of our best universities. Despite our history, we have achieved some important milestones in tobacco control in North Carolina and thought others may be interested in the approach taken in our state.

How States and Communities Are Taking Action to Reduce Impact of Menthol Cigarettes

Menthol cigarettes have been used for years to target vulnerable populations and are consumed by nearly half of all youth smokers. The cooling properties of menthol reduce the harshness of tobacco and the irritation of nicotine in cigarettes. As a result, menthol cigarettes are a popular choice among those first starting to smoke.

Southern Approaches to Tobacco Prevention/Secondhand Smoke Exposure

A quick look at the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) map of smokefree protections for the United States reveals that there is much work to be done throughout the South. Lay that map over any demographic map of the United States and you will see layers of disparities.

Breast Cancer: An Equal Opportunity Offender

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women and will be responsible for about a half million deaths this year. It’s also a silent killer: aside from genetics, little is known about what causes breast cancer in women younger than 45. So it’s important for all women to screen themselves, no matter what the age.