University of Wisconsin–Madison

Category: 2018 Articles

Interagency Committee in Washington, D.C. Addresses Smoking and Behavioral Health

United States Surgeon General Jerome Adams (above left) and UW-CTRI Director Dr. Michael Fiore discuss how to help people with behavioral health challenges to quit smoking. At the meeting June 14 in Washington, D.C., scholars discussed research, treatments, and public health campaigns designed to help address the fact that people with behavioral health challenges smoke …

National Smoking Rate Down to 13.9%, Yet Much Work Remains

The CDC National Center for Health Statistics released estimates from the National Health Interview Survey showing that 13.9 percent of US adults were cigarette smokers in 2017, the lowest level ever recorded by the survey (which began in 1957). This represents a significant decline from 15.8% in 2016. It is important to note that these …

More Gum + Patches Meant Better Chances

According to research by Dr. Tanya Schlam and colleagues at UW-CTRI, smokers who used more nicotine gum (up to 5 pieces a day) with nicotine patches tended to have higher quit rates: 59% had quit smoking at 6 months. The findings are published in the journal Psychopharmacology: https://rdcu.be/MCsU

Outreach Specialists Inspire Smiles 

From Left: Jenna Otterholt of Tobacco Free Coalition of Central Wisconsin, UW-CTRI Senior Outreach Specialist Roger Dier, and UW-CTRI Outreach Specialist Alex Peeters spoke May 11 at a Seal-a-Smile event in Marshfield. They addressed approximately 60 dental professionals regarding tobacco addiction and referral resources to help people of various ages to quit smoking. “The crowd …

Former Smoker Enjoys Sunny Outlook 

When Jeff Petersik decided to quit smoking by making a call to the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line, he knew it was long overdue. “I had been smoking for over 10 years, and I was getting sick more often,” said Petersik, a Milwaukee resident. “So it was mainly for my health. I wanted to live longer …

UW-CTRI Staff Share Findings at UW Department of Medicine Research Day 

UW-CTRI staff and collaborators presented research findings at the University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine (DOM) Research Day June 15 at the Health Sciences Learning Center on the UW campus in Madison. This included an oral presentation by UW-CTRI Associate Director of Research Dr. Danielle McCarthy and five posters. Here’s a rundown: Presentation Dr. Danielle …

UW Designated by NCI to Help Cancer Patients Quit

The UW Carbone Cancer Center is one of 22 NCI-designated cancer centers, and is collaborating with UW-CTRI to help cancer patients quit smoking. UW-CTRI Director Dr. Michael Fiore spoke with Cancer Today Magazine about the project.

UW-CTRI Researchers Complete Enrollment for VA Study to Help Veterans Quit Smoking

A team of UW-CTRI researchers led by Dr. Jessica Cook have completed enrollment of a Merit Award study at the Veterans Administration (VA), enrolling 122 Veterans. They also have submitted an application for a second merit-award grant for a study that would help 500 more Veterans quit smoking or cut down. For the current Merit …

Inpatient Tobacco-Cessation Program About to Begin at UW Hospital

UW Associate Professor and Division Head, Hospital Medicine Dr. Ann Sheehy (right) spoke during the annual spring UW-CTRI staff meeting about a promising new tobacco-treatment protocol. Sheehy said UW Hospital will soon implement an Electronic Health Record (EHR)-based tobacco treatment intervention that allows pharmacists to meet with every inpatient who uses tobacco, and offer nicotine-replacement medications …

Dr. Fiore Shares UW’s Work on Tobacco Cessation with Legislative Staff in Washington, DC

UW-CTRI Director Dr. Michael Fiore met with staff members of six legislators in Washington, DC who represent Wisconsin to share how the university helps patients quit tobacco use. Fiore focused on the statewide impact of the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line and regional outreach specialists, as well as the impact of research studies and the UW-CTRI …