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Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition Announces Support for CDC’s Televised Línea de Ayuda Smoking Cessation Event

May 25th Telemundo Call-in Program Complements CDC’s Tips from Former Smokers (Tips) Campaign to Help Hispanics Quit Smoking


Chicago, IL – “With tobacco companies estimated to spend $9.1 billion this year to addict new customers, the CDC’s Línea de Ayuda and Tips Campaign are critical tools to make sure our community knows the real costs of tobacco use, nicotine addiction, and how to get help to quit,” said Esther Sciammarella, Executive Director of the Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition, a public health non-pro t organizations established in 1991.

On May 25, 2017, CDC is airing Línea de Ayuda (Helpline), a telethon-style event on Chicago’s Telemundo station WSNS-TV (Channel 44) between 5:00 and 9:00 pm. Línea de Ayuda will feature four 90-second spots where Dr. Ralph Caraballo, CDC Chief Epidemiologist, will be interviewed about smoking-related illnesses, health ben- e ts from quitting, and accessing free help to quit. Each segment directs callers to the Spanish-language Quitline, 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-800-QUIT-NOW), for support.

The 2017 Spanish and English-language Tips Campaign ads are also airing nationwide on TV and radio through July to bring attention to the risks of smoking. The ads feature former smokers who describe the health consequences they have suffered, motivate others to quit, and promote free cessation support through the Quitlines.

The Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition is promoting the Línea de Ayuda television events and the broader Tips Campaign as a Lead Agency of the Nuestras Voces (Our Voices) Network, which works to reduce tobacco use and cancer incidence in Hispanic communities. Activities to support CDC’s efforts include bilingual social media and individual cessation support through the National Alliance for Hispanic Health’s (the Alliance) Su Familia Helpline.

“The individual stories told in the Línea de Ayuda and Tips campaigns represent similar experiences of the over 16 million Americans su ering from illnesses caused by smoking and give encouragement to smokers to quit and others not to start. We are proud to support these e orts, including through the Alliance’s Su Familia Help- line at 1-866-783-2645 where callers can get information in Spanish and English on quitting smoking, talking to a loved one about smoking, or connecting to health services in their communities,” emphasized Ms. Sciammarella.

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About Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition

The Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition was established in June 1991 as a multi- disciplinary membership organization to address the need for health promotion and disease prevention among Chicago’s Hispanic community. It was established as a pilot demonstration project with funding from the U.S. Department on Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. For the past 20 years, CHHC has been a liated with the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.

About the Nuestras Voces

Network Nuestras Voces is a national network of over 200 members working for a tobacco-free world and to eliminate disparities in cancer prevention and treatment services. You can be part of this effort being led by the National Alliance for Hispanic Health! Join us at www.nuestrasvoces.org/join.