The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council), in partnership with Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, Smoking Cessation Leadership Center, the Michigan Public Health Institute, and Strategic Management Services, proposes to operate a National Network to reduce commercial tobacco use and tobacco-related cancers among individuals with mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUD). Since 2013, the National Council has operated CDC’s National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco & Cancer Control (NBHN 1.0). We propose to continue and expand upon NBHN 1.0, a 1,700-member network of community behavioral health organizations, state tobacco and cancer control programs, and state, local tribal and territorial health departments. We are well-positioned to leverage and build upon our successful history of collaboration with CDC and multi-sector stakeholders to operate NBHN 2.0 and to achieve the goals of Networking2Save: CDC’s National Network Approach to Preventing and Controlling Tobacco-related Cancers in Special Populations.
By the end of the five-year period, the National Council, via NBHN 2.0, expects to increase the following performance outcomes measures for individuals with MH/SUD: capacity of CDC-funded tobacco and cancer control programs to collect and use behavioral health population data; relationships between organizations serving target population; delivery of evidence-based interventions to reach target population; number of comprehensive smoke-free strategies; number of comprehensive smoke-free housing units; implementation of retail strategies to reduce tobacco consumption; quit attempts among target population; physical activity among target population; and cervical cancer screening among target population. We expect a decreased incidence of advanced stage disease among target population at the end of the five-year project period.
We propose, via NBHN 2.0, to reach 500,000 individuals in mass health reach communication, engage and sustain 1,800 new network members for a total network of 3,500 and provide 60,000 community behavioral health organizations, state tobacco and cancer control programs, and state, local tribal and territorial health departments and additional stakeholders with culturally relevant target-population specific training and technical assistance (TTA). The National Council’s proposed project strategies and activities will be tailored to meet the needs of individuals with MH/SUD and targeted subpopulations.
The National Council, as the successful operator of the National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco & Cancer Control (NBHN 1.0) has proven expertise and experience in successfully managing a national network. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to partner with CDC to operate a National Network to reduce commercial tobacco use and tobacco-related cancers among individuals with MH/SUD, leveraging our highly qualified staff, diverse multi-sector collaborations, established relationship with the target population, and strong experience implementing evidence based strategies.