PITTSBURGH — Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties have joined Adagio Health’s Tobacco Prevention and Control network.
With funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Adagio Health now offers no-cost tobacco and nicotine cessation and prevention services including counseling, support and nicotine replacement therapy in 24 counties throughout western Pennsylvania.
“First and foremost, we want residents in the counties we serve to know that no-cost services are available to them, and those services will be provided with no judgment,” said Alicia Schisler, chief of external affairs at Adagio Health. “People know that smoking and vaping isn’t good for their health. But because nicotine is so incredibly addictive, once they’re hooked, it can be really hard to quit. We’re here to help, we’re not going to lecture anybody, we’re just going to provide the support they need to quit — for good.”
Adagio Health already offers a wide array of health and preventive services and support in the Northwest region. Now, patients can receive comprehensive tobacco and nicotine cessation services as well.
The primary goals of the Tobacco Free Adagio Health initiative in the Northwest and throughout western PA include:
“Our mission at Adagio Health is to improve the health of communities by meeting their health, wellness and nutrition needs, regardless of income or insurance status,” said Allison Clevenger, senior director of disease prevention programs at Adagio Health. “Expanding our tobacco and nicotine cessation and prevention services in the Northwest region of Pennsylvania will strengthen our network of collaborative partnerships; while we provide needed health services, education, support and tools for healthier living that empower local communities. Just as importantly, we are working with young people in Pennsylvania, teaching them to use their voices to advocate for legislative and policy change around tobacco and nicotine use that will promote a healthier future for all.”
With the expansion of the tobacco prevention and control program into the Northwest region, all Adagio Health Medical offices will now be able to directly offer tobacco and nicotine cessation and education services to patients. Tobacco Free Adagio Health programs will help reduce barriers and streamline tobacco prevention, cessation and policy efforts in western PA. Among the specialized programs Adagio Health offers: Healthy You, Health Baby (offering free coaching and support to help pregnant and postpartum moms quit smoking or vaping); nicotine replacement therapy; online cessation classes; Tobacco Resistance Unit (TRU) prevention, advocacy, and leadership opportunities for middle and high school students; and more.
Education about Big Tobacco and the effects of smoking and/or vaping will be offered throughout the Northwest region at schools for youth ages 12 to 18. Tobacco Free Adagio Health’s TRU has more than doubled in Allegheny County and the southwest region, growing from 550 students to 1,400 members in recent years.
To learn more about Adagio Health Tobacco Prevention and Control programs and services, visit https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/
