Tobacco Free Adagio Health Expands to Northwest Region
13 more counties join TFAH's network, providing cessation services and support to patients
Pittsburgh, PA (December 27, 2023) - 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, with well-established medical offices in Erie and Edinboro where gynecological care, breast and cervical cancer screening, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, PrEP, Hepatitis C testing and treatment, and adult vaccines and screening are offered. 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:
- Prevent initiation of tobacco use
- Promote quitting among adults and youths
- Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke
- Advance health equity by identifying disparities related to tobacco and nicotine use
- Provide specialized support to pregnant and postpartum moms and parents
"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 12-18. 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/
About Adagio Health - For over 50 years, Adagio Health has provided health, wellness, and nutrition services in Pennsylvania. Today, the organization serves approximately 100,000 patients and clients annually. While women's health is a primary focus for the organization, reproductive health, cancer screening, and preventive health services are also offered to men, teens, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone in need of care in a welcoming, confidential setting. Adagio Health operates nine medical offices in western PA that also address social determinants of health such as food insecurity, behavioral health, and care navigation; manages the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program in five PA counties; promotes tobacco/vaping prevention and cessation; oversees breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment programs in 62 counties across PA; and empowers local communities to address nutritional, reproductive, and behavioral health along with positive relationship building and life skills through an array of clinical and education programs. Adagio Health receives funding from the State and Federal government, foundations, individuals, and the corporate community.
