Louisiana has one of the highest smoking rates in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To improve lung health and overall wellness, Ochsner Health and Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit have formed a partnership to create a lung cancer awareness, education, and prevention program. This initiative launched in November 2021 in St. Tammany Parish, the result of a $50,000 donation from Chevron. Since then, the two organizations have worked together to improve resources and education around smoking cessation and overall lung health.
As a part of these efforts, a public service announcement was produced highlighting the story of Caitlin Hunter, a Chevron employee and Northshore native who lost two family members to lung cancer. “I know firsthand how devastating this disease can be,” said Hunter. “Early detection and intervention are critical when it comes to lung health. Our hope is that by educating our community on the dangers of smoking and giving them the right tools, we can empower people to make their health a priority - and save lives.”
Chevron’s funding is supporting the following program initiatives:
-Encouraging early testing and diagnostics such as low-dose CT scans and lung cancer screening tests to significantly increase chances of survival from lung cancer in certain high-risk populations. The program provides transportation for those who qualify to go get a lung cancer screening.
-Visits to about a dozen high schools to educate students about the dangers of vaping and smoking and to provide smoking cessation resources.
-Education on how to identify stressors and triggers leading to smoking habits.
-Smoking cessation tools to identify and utilize healthy mechanisms for managing stress.
"Ochsner Health is committed to building a healthier region and smoking is a major barrier in improving the overall health of Louisianians,” said Leonardo Seoane, MD, senior vice president and chief academic officer for Ochsner Health. “We are very appreciative of Chevron for joining us in our efforts to reduce smoking rates by 6% statewide by 2030. Chevron’s contribution and collaboration have led to increased interest in our smoking cessation program. We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish together and are determined to keep working to lower smoking rates in our state.”
In addition to this program, Chevron has supported Ochsner Health in the past by investing $32,000 in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes to provide crucial resources for individuals with COVID-19.
“Chevron is proud to make this contribution and continue our long-standing partnership with Ochsner Health,” said Leah Brown, public affairs manager for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. “From supporting those struggling with the Coronavirus to promoting smoking cessation, together we’ve worked to make a positive difference in the community. Chevron thanks Ochsner for their dedication and daily efforts to improve the health and lives of Louisiana residents.”
For more information about this program, visit www.ochsner.org/quit .