Developing leaders in priority populations to address tobacco disparities: results from a leadership institute

Few published evaluations documenting the results of community health leadership programs exist. Furthermore, few leadership programs specifically address cross-cultural issues or priority populations, and none have focused on the area of tobacco control.

The goal of the evaluation was to determine the effectiveness of the Leadership and Advocacy Institute to Advance Minnesota's Parity for Priority Populations Institute. Institute Fellows were recruited from 5 priority populations, including African/African American, American Indian, Asian American, Chicano Latino and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. The Institute's impact on the acquisition and application of particular leadership skills was assessed, along with its impact in building priority population capacity to engage in tobacco control activities. DESIGN AND MEASURE: Findings are based on mixed methods, including Fellows' completion of paper surveys prior, during, and post-Institute, and telephone interviews conducted post-Institute.

Perceived skills increased in all areas assessed. Fellows reported applying specific skills acquired 16 months after the Institute. Furthermore, a high number of Fellows were more intensely involved in tobacco control work compared to baseline and reported involvement in cross-cultural collaborations or initiatives post-Institute.

The Institute achieved both short-term and intermediate outcomes; skills were acquired during the Institute and sustained and applied in areas of tobacco control over 1 year later.