Resource Details

Nicotine Anonymous Peer Support Groups

Can They Work in the Homeless Service Settings?

Year Developed: 2017

Resource Type: Publication.

Primary Audience: Clinicians
Secondary Audience: Enabling Staff

Language(s): English

Developed by: National Health Care for the Homeless Council (See other resources developed by this organization).

Resource Summary: This enterprising study features results from three participating HCH sites, finding that NicA meetings are feasible given the capacity of support staff and health centers to reduce barriers to participation.

Resource Details: The Council’s Practice-Based Research Network has conducted a unique feasibility study examining the Nicotine Anonymous (NicA) model in homeless health care. American adults without homes are more likely to smoke than their stably housed counterparts, and out of 890,283 patients served by Health Care for the Homeless in 2015, 12 percent had a primary diagnosis of tobacco use disorder compared to 5 percent in the general community health center population. While many individuals without homes desire to quit, potent barriers including depression and stress remain. To address this issue, this enterprising study features results from three participating HCH sites, finding that NicA meetings are feasible given the capacity of support staff and health centers to reduce barriers to participation.

Resource Topic: Special and Vulnerable Populations, Health Equity

Keywords: Persons Experiencing Homelessness, Smoking Cessation.