Text and Mobile Media Smoking Cessation Service for Young Adults in South Texas: Operation and Cost-Effectiveness Estimation. Issue 4 (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramirez, Amelie G.; Chalela, Patricia; Akopian, David; Munoz, Edgar; Gallion, Kipling J.; Despres, Cliff; Morales, Jafet; Escobar, Rodrigo; McAlister, Alfred L.
• Is Part Of: Health promotion practice. Volume 18:Issue 4(2017:Jul.)
• Page Start: 581
• Page End: 585
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: smoking cessation -- SMS texting -- mobile media -- cost-effectiveness; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- United States -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/1524839917705130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-8399

Abstract

To realize the promising potential of services delivered via smart phones to help young adults quit smoking at a high level of cost-efficiency, we constructed a texting and mobile media system that was promoted in South Texas via social media advertising and other recruitment channels. During the 6-month service period described here, enrollments were achieved for 798 participants with a mean age of 29.3 years. Seven-month texted follow-up found that 21% (171) of the enrollees reported abstinence at that point. This is consistent with high rates of success found in studies of telephone counseling for young adults and confirms that text and mobile media service specifically designed for young adults provide a feasible and potentially cost-effective approach to promoting cessation.