BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: A cadre of health professionals and advocates with technical knowledge and leadership skills to affect policy change is critical to eliminating tobacco use. A major focus of Institute for Global Tobacco Control programs is leadership and research capacity building in low- and middle-income countries. Implementation challenges include engaging participants throughout the program, imparting skills that benefit tobacco control policy and research for years to come, and keeping participants engaged in tobacco control for the long run.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Institute interventions: Tobacco Control Leadership Programs (2007-ongoing, 2500+ participants, 115 countries); Global Certificate Program (2008-2022, 213 participants, 39 countries); Tobacco Control Scholars Program (2017-2023, 49 participants, 10 countries); Bangladesh and Indonesia Tobacco Control Research Network (Bangladesh, since 2013, 131 grants, 30 publications; Indonesia, since 2017, 97 grants, 29 publications); and Ascend - Leadership Development for the Future of Tobacco Control (since 2024, 65 young adult participants, 15 countries). Leadership and Scholars programs emphasize systems thinking and leadership skills; Certificate and Network programs focus on research skills.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: Participant evaluations suggest broad program satisfaction; enhanced abilities to apply leadership and systems thinking skills; and greater confidence in broadening partner networks using stakeholder analysis and strategic messaging. Accomplishments influenced, in part, by participation include the introduction of tobacco control legislation by a State-level India parliamentarian (“… inspired to introduce… legislation.”); incorporating tobacco control in city planning by the mayor of Balanga City, Philippines, making tobacco control an integral part of the city’s “Smart University Town” vision; and policy-relevant evidence and publications in Bangladesh and Indonesia.
CONCLUSIONS: Our programs confirm the importance of strategic leadership and systems thinking skills, creating program environments (physical and instructional) that promote learning and relationship building, utilizing follow-up communications platforms (e.g., WhatsApp); and the benefits of focusing at regional/country levels and including participants who are not fluent in English using simultaneous translation.