Opelousas General Health System Foundation Receives Grant to Address Systemic Inequities to Reduce Tobacco Use

Opelousas General Health System Foundation was selected as a grantee by the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) to address systemic inequities to reduce tobacco use among African Americans in the South (Project ASIRT). Project ASIRT priority locations include Ferriday, Jonesville, Lake Providence, Tallulah, Bastrop, Delhi, Opelousas, Kentwood, St. Joseph, and Newellton.

Grantees will participate in a learning collaborative to build the capacity of Louisiana’s rural communities to reduce tobacco use among African Americans, address and recognize tobacco-related inequities, and influence policy change at the local and state level.

“The OGHS Foundation and its affiliate Healthy St. Landry are excited to have the opportunity to do this important work in our community. We are honored to receive this grant.” said Tracey Antee, OGHS Foundation Director.

Opelousas General Health System Foundation received $20,000 to increase rural community capacity and engagement to mobilize around tobacco- and tobacco-related issues facing their communities and eliminating tobacco-related health disparities.

“We’re excited to be working with these nine organizations to address tobacco use and cessation efforts on multiple fronts,” said Tiffany Jeanminette, LPHI’s director of Policy and Equity. “Working with local organizations allows us to better understand each community and create solutions that address tobacco-use, health inequities stemming from tobacco-use, and enact equity-focused policy changes.”

In addition to working with community engagement partners and rural health partners, Project ASIRT will engage local community leaders, organizations, and residents in rural communities to work towards building capacity for grassroots policy change to address systemic inequities and increase the use of traditional and non-traditional tobacco cessation programs for tobacco users who want to quit smoking.

Funding for this grant was made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For additional information on Project ASIRT and the full list of grantees, click here.