Scripted for Her: Smoking Cessation for Women – Drug Topics

Report on Pharmacist-Led Smoking Cessation Initiatives for Women

Introduction: Aligning with Global Health Objectives

A recent expert discussion highlighted pharmacist-led interventions for smoking and vaping cessation, with a specific focus on women and expectant mothers. This initiative directly supports the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), by addressing critical public health challenges through accessible healthcare providers.

Expert Panel and Core Discussion Points

The dialogue, held in observance of Tobacco Cessation and Lung Cancer Awareness Month, featured a panel of pharmacy experts who addressed comprehensive smoking cessation strategies. The panel included:

• Natalie DiPietro Mager, PharmD, PhD, MPH
• Myriam Shaw Ojeda, PharmD, Assistant Professor at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
• Suzanne K. Higginbotham, PharmD, BCACP, CTTS, CDCES, Clinical Pharmacist at the Ohio State University

The discussion centered on the value pharmacists add to public health efforts by providing evidence-based resources and solutions to diverse patient populations, including children, mothers, and pregnant patients.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The initiative strongly aligns with SDG Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment. Key contributions include:

1. Tobacco Control: Strengthening the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (Target 3.a) by empowering pharmacists to lead cessation programs.
2. Maternal and Child Health: Providing specialized support for pregnant patients and mothers, which is crucial for reducing neonatal and child mortality and improving maternal health.
3. Disease Prevention: Actively working to prevent lung cancer and other tobacco-related illnesses within communities.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

By focusing on women’s health, the discussion underscores the importance of gender-responsive healthcare, a cornerstone of SDG 5. The report highlights:

• Targeted Healthcare Access: Ensuring women have access to tailored health services and information that address their specific physiological and social needs regarding tobacco cessation.
• Empowerment Through Information: Providing women of all backgrounds with the necessary resources and professional support to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Conclusion: The Enhanced Role of Pharmacy in Public Health

The expert panel concluded that pharmacists are uniquely positioned to advance public health outcomes and contribute to global sustainability targets. By leveraging their accessibility and expertise, pharmacists can significantly mitigate the challenges of smoking and vaping, particularly among vulnerable female populations, thereby fostering healthier and more equitable communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article’s primary focus is on public health, specifically addressing the challenges of smoking and vaping. It mentions “Tobacco Cessation and Lung Cancer Awareness Month,” directly linking the discussion to preventing non-communicable diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles. The conversation centers on providing “pharmacist-administered resources and solutions” to help patients quit smoking, which is a core component of ensuring healthy lives.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article specifically targets health issues concerning “women and expecting mothers.” The podcast series, “Scripted for Her,” aims to help pharmacists provide “comprehensive care and continuity of care within the women’s health space.” By focusing on the unique health challenges and needs of women, including pregnant patients, the article addresses the gender-specific aspects of healthcare, contributing to gender equality.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article describes a collaboration between multiple stakeholders to achieve a common health goal. It features a discussion between pharmacy experts from Ohio State University (academia/public health) and is hosted on a podcast by Drug Topics (media/private sector). This partnership is aimed at disseminating valuable health information and “insights from pharmacy experts” to a wider audience, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach to public health education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment. The article directly supports this target by focusing on “smoking cessation methods.” Smoking is a leading cause of premature death from non-communicable diseases like lung cancer, and the discussion on quitting methods is a preventative measure.
   • Target 3.a: Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The article’s content, which promotes “pharmacist-administered resources and solutions” for tobacco cessation, aligns with the strategies for demand reduction and tobacco control outlined in the WHO framework.
2. Under SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. While not about legal discrimination, the article addresses the need for specialized healthcare for women (“women’s health space”), including “pregnant patients.” Ensuring that healthcare systems are responsive to the specific needs of women is a step towards health equity and ending systemic disadvantages.
3. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The podcast itself is an example of this target in action. It represents a partnership between academic experts (Natalie DiPietro Mager, Myriam Shaw Ojeda, Suzanne K. Higginbotham from universities) and a media platform (Drug Topics) to educate and raise awareness on a critical public health issue.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 3 Targets:
   • Prevalence of tobacco use: The article’s focus on “smoking and vaping for women and expecting mothers” implies that the rate of tobacco use within this demographic is a key concern. A reduction in this rate would be a direct indicator of progress (related to Indicator 3.a.1).
   • Mortality rate from non-communicable diseases: The mention of “Lung Cancer Awareness Month” implies that the mortality and incidence rates of lung cancer are relevant metrics. A decrease in these rates would indicate success in prevention efforts (related to Indicator 3.4.1).
   • Availability of cessation services: The discussion of “pharmacist-administered resources and solutions” suggests that the number of pharmacies offering smoking cessation programs and the number of patients utilizing them could serve as indicators of strengthened health services.
2. For SDG 5 Targets:
   • Access to specialized healthcare for women: The article highlights the need for care “within the women’s health space.” An implied indicator would be the proportion of healthcare facilities or pharmacies that provide specialized services for women, particularly for pregnant patients seeking to quit smoking.
3. For SDG 17 Targets:
   • Number of multi-stakeholder partnerships: The existence of the “Scripted for Her” podcast, a collaboration between academia and media to promote public health, serves as a qualitative indicator of a successful partnership. Quantitatively, one could measure the number of such public-private initiatives aimed at health education.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: drugtopics.com