About 43 percent who primarily speak Spanish get their news from Spanish-language sources, but almost two-thirds of bilingual Hispanics and Latinos get their news from outlets in both languages, according to a 2013 report from the Pew Research Center.
“Thus, it’s not just a good idea to have our information available in Spanish — it’s critical,” said Michelle Johns, a health communications specialist at the CDC.
Johns’ colleagues at the Office on Smoking and Health knew it was important to create materials in both English and Spanish, she said. Its Tips From Former Smokers campaign was designed to reach the more than 3.5 million Hispanics and Latinos who smoke.
The Spanish-language Tips From Former Smokers includes links to smoking-cessation resources, short audio stories from former smokers and a list of diseases that may be linked to smoking. In addition, there are video testimonials.
The majority of stories center on how smokers’ bad habit worsened their health. They talk candidly about their open-heart surgery, losing teeth to gum disease linked to smoking, losing their legs and lungs. Some have died.
The National Cancer Institute also has a campaign that encourages people to quit.
The English-language website includes articles on how to manage emotions and how to transition into a smoke-free routine. The Spanish-language companion website also has information to help smokers quit – and a clear message.
The phrase at the top of the page says, in Spanish: “My family, my health, my life.”
