Smoking prevalence among LGBTQ + youth and young adults is alarmingly high compared to their non-LGBTQ + peers. The purpose of the scoping review was to assess the current state of smoking prevention and cessation intervention research for LGBTQ + youth and young adults, identify and describe these interventions and their effectiveness, and identify gaps in both practice and research.A search for published literature was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and LGBT Life, as well as an in-depth search of the grey literature. All English articles published or written between January 2000 and February 2016 were extracted.The search identified 24 records, of which 21 were included; 11 from peer reviewed sources and 10 from the grey literature. Of these 21, only one study targeted young adults and only one study had smoking prevention as an objective. Records were extracted into evidence tables using a modified PICO framework and a narrative synthesis was conducted. The evidence to date is drawn from methodologically weak studies; however, group cessation counselling demonstrates high quit rates and community-based programs have been implemented, although very little evidence of outcomes exist. Better-controlled research studies are needed and limited evidence exists to guide implementation of interventions for LGBTQ + youth and young adults.This scoping review identified a large research gap in the area of prevention and cessation interventions for LGBTQ youth and young adults. There is a need for effective, community-informed, and engaged interventions specific to LGBTQ + youth and young adults for the prevention and cessation of tobacco.

BackgroundThe prevalence of smoking among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other sexual minority (LGBTQ+) youth and young adults (YYA) is significantly higher compared with that among non-LGBTQ+ persons. However, in the past, interventions were primarily group cessation classes that targeted LGBTQ+ persons of all ages. mHealth interventions offer an alternate and modern intervention platform for this subpopulation and may be of particular interest for young LGBTQ+ persons.ObjectiveThis study explored LGBTQ+ YYA (the potential users’) perceptions of a culturally tailored mobile app for smoking cessation. Specifically, we sought to understand what LGBTQ+ YYA like and dislike about this potential cessation tool, along with how such interventions could be improved.MethodsWe conducted 24 focus groups with 204 LGBTQ+ YYA (aged 16-29 years) in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada. Participants reflected on how an app might support LGBTQ+ persons with smoking cessation. Participants indicated their feelings, likes and dislikes, concerns, and additional ideas for culturally tailored smoking cessation apps. Framework analysis was used to code transcripts and identify the overarching themes.ResultsStudy findings suggested that LGBTQ+ YYA were eager about using culturally tailored mobile apps for smoking cessation. Accessibility, monitoring and tracking, connecting with community members, tailoring, connecting with social networks, and personalization were key reasons that were valued for a mobile app cessation program. However, concerns were raised about individual privacy and that not all individuals had access to a mobile phone, users might lose interest quickly, an app would need to be marketed effectively, and app users might cheat and lie about progress to themselves. Participants highlighted that the addition of distractions, rewards, notifications, and Web-based and print versions of the app would be extremely useful to mitigate some of their concerns.ConclusionsThis study provided insight into the perspectives of LGBTQ+ YYA on a smoking cessation intervention delivered through a mobile app. The findings suggested a number of components of a mobile app that were valued and those that were concerning, as well as suggestions on how to make a mobile app cessation program successful. App development for this subpopulation should take into consideration the opinions of the intended users and involve them in the development and evaluation of mobile-based smoking cessation programs.

BackgroundSmoking prevalence is very high among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer (LGBTQ+) youth and young adults (YYA) compared to non-LGBTQ+ YYA. A knowledge gap exists on culturally appropriate and effective prevention and cessation efforts for members of this diverse community, as limited interventions have been developed with and for this population, and there are very few studies determining the impact of these interventions. This study identifies the most salient elements of LGBTQ+ cessation and prevention interventions from the perspective of LGBTQ+ YYA.MethodsThree descriptions of interventions tailored for LGBTQ+ YYA (group cessation counselling, social marketing, and a mobile phone app with social media incorporated), were shared with LGBTQ+ YYA via 24 focus groups with 204 participants in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada. Open-ended questions focused on their feelings, likes and dislikes, and concerns about the culturally modified intervention descriptions. Framework analysis was used to identify overarching themes across all three intervention descriptions.ResultsThe data revealed eight overarching themes across all three intervention descriptions. Smoking cessation and prevention interventions should have the following key attributes: 1) be LGBTQ+ − specific; 2) be accessible in terms of location, time, availability, and cost; 3) be inclusive, relatable, and highlight diversity; 4) incorporate LGBTQ+ peer support and counselling services; 5) integrate other activities beyond smoking; 6) be positive, motivational, uplifting, and empowering; 7) provide concrete coping mechanisms; and 8) integrate rewards and incentives.ConclusionsLGBTQ+ YYA focus group participants expressed a desire for an intervention that can incorporate these key elements. The mobile phone app and social media campaign were noted as potential interventions that could include all the essential elements.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5050-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction In health promotion and chronic disease prevention, both best and promising practices can provide critical insights into what works for enhancing the healthrelated outcomes of individuals and communities, and how/why these practices work in different situations and contexts. Methods The promising practices criteria were developed using the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC’s) existing best practices criteria as the foundation. They were modified and pilot tested (three rounds) using published interventions. Theoretical and methodological issues and challenges were resolved via consultation and in-depth discussions with a working group. Results The team established a set of promising practices criteria, which differentiated from the best practices criteria via six specific measures. Conclusion While a number of complex challenges emerged in the development of these criteria, they were thoroughly discussed, debated and resolved. The Canadian Best Practices Portal’s screening criteria allow one to screen for both best and promising practices in the fields of public health, health promotion, chronic disease prevention, and potentially beyond.

Introduction Youth Excel was a 3-year pan-Canadian initiative to advance youth health through improving knowledge development and exchange (KDE) capacity. KDE capacity refers to an improvement cycle linking evidence and action. Capacities include local surveillance of youth behaviours; knowledge exchange; skills, resources and a supportive environment to use knowledge; and evaluation. Methods Interviews were conducted with Youth Excel members, including 7 provincial teams and 2 national organizations. Interviews explored participant experiences with building KDE capacity. Results Local surveillance systems were considered the backbone to KDE capacity, strengthened by co-ordinating surveys within and across jurisdictions and using common indicators and measures. The most effective knowledge exchange included tailored products and opportunities for dialogue and action planning. Evaluation is the least developed KDE component. Building KDE capacity requires frequent dialogue, mutually beneficial partnerships and trust. It also requires attention to language, vision, strategic leadership and funding. Conclusion Youth Excel reinforces the need for a KDE system to improve youth health that will require new perspectives and sustained commitment from individual champions and relevant organizations.

Social reports (health status reports, report cards, community profiles, etc.) are documents that provide information on what is known about the general social conditions of a particular population, community, or society. Social reports can either focus on a particular issue or several issues for different population levels (international, national, provincial, and municipal). Current, ongoing Canadian social reporting efforts include the Canadian Council on Social Development's annual social report on children, entitled The Progress of Canada's Children, 1 and the Ontario Social Development Council's report on the well-being of the province, called the Quality of Life Index. 2 Despite the large investments in such social reporting efforts, however, little is known about whether these reports are, in fact, read and used (e.g., to help shape public policy, establish local funding priorities), and whether they in fact do any good. A literature search was conducted on nine databases (e.g., Dissertation Abstracts, Medline,

Introduction Youth Excel est une initiative pancanadienne de 3 ans qui a eu comme objectif de favoriser la santé chez les jeunes par le biais de l'amélioration de la capacité de développement et d'échange des connaissances (DEC). La capacité de DEC repose sur un cycle d'amélioration reliant données probantes et interventions. Ses composantes étaient la surveillance locale des comportements des jeunes; l'échange de connaissances; les compétences, les ressources et l'environnement favorable pour l'utilisation des connaissances et enfin l'évaluation. Méthodologie Nous avons réalisé des entrevues auprès de membres de Youth Excel relevant de sept équipes provinciales et de deux organisations nationales. Ces entrevues portaient sur les expériences des participants en lien avec le renforcement de la capacité de DEC. Résultats L'élément central de la capacité de DEC était constitué par les systèmes de surveillance locale, renforcé par la coordination d'enquêtes au sein des administrations et entre administrations et par le recours à des indicateurs et à des mesures communes. Les échanges de connaissances les plus efficaces étaient ceux qui portaient sur des produits adaptés et qui mettaient à profit les occasions de dialogue et de planification des interventions. La capacité évaluative est demeurée la capacité de DEC la moins élaborée. Le renforcement de la capacité globale de DEC repose sur un dialogue fréquent, des partenariats mutuellement bénéfiques et de la confiance. Il exige également que l'on porte attention au langage, à la vision, au leadership stratégique et au financement. Conclusion L'expérience de Youth Excel montre qu'il faut, pour renforcer un système de DEC qui améliore la santé des jeunes, explorer de nouvelles perspectives et obtenir un engagement soutenu de la part des champions ainsi que des organisations concernées.

Élaboration de critères définissant les pratiques prometteuses en promotion de la santé et en prévention des maladies pour le Portail canadien des pratiques exemplaires