Community Engagement

Overview

LPHI’s community engagement work, which has been central to our approach for more than 20 years, is rooted in the belief that meaningful public health starts with meaningful relationships.

We center trust and co-designing solutions with communities across Louisiana, ensuring that lived experience guides our work as much as technical expertise. Through this approach, LPHI has more than two decades of experiences, and staff seated across every region of Louisiana implementing statewide health promotion and practice change initiatives—particularly in the prevention space—that shift health outcomes, strengthen systems of care and include community in every part of the process.

By weaving together community voice, evidence-based practice, and public health science, we expand capacity, drive innovation, and advance equitable health outcomes across the communities we serve, with the communities we serve.

Community Engagement Programs

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL)

A program of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center and LPHI, TFL has more than 20 years of transforming the Louisiana tobacco control and prevention landscape, ensuring more than one million people are protected from second hand smoke, and ensuring thousands ( over 25,000+ annually) more are engaged annually around tobacco prevention and cessation services.

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Louisiana Quitline

In partnership with AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana (ACL), the Louisiana Department of Health’s WellAhead Program, and RVO health, LPHI facilitates members with tobacco and vape cessation services. The LPHI team works with ACL’s teams to improve service accessibility and educate Medicaid patients on the benefits of quitting smoking to lower their cancer risk.

Community Engagement News and Highlights

News and Highlights

New Vaping Ordinance in Baton Rouge Protects Louisiana’s Youth

The East Baton Rouge Metro Council has approved its first local ordinance regulating vape and tobacco retailers to build stronger protections against youth vaping beyond the existing state permits and licenses.

Addressing Vaping in Northeast Louisiana Schools

The Ouachita Citizen recently spoke with TFL Regional Manager Jennifer Haneline about increases in vaping in middle and high school students

TFL Team Honors Service, Promotes Health

The TFL team partnered with 30+ community organizations and the Alexandria Veterans Center to provide education and resources during their annual Service Members, Veterans, and Families resource event.

Community Engagement Thought Leadership and Resources

Thought Leadership and Resources

HIV and Tobacco: Dual Challenges in Health Equity- Empowering People and Communities Series (EPCS)

Hosted on World AIDS Day, this webinar highlights the impact of HIV and tobacco use on health equity in Louisiana. Featuring perspectives from public health and community experts, the discussion outlines key challenges and actionable solutions.

The Case of Mental Health vs. Nicotine: A Generation of Addiction

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Northwest Regional Manager, Jennifer Haneline, wrote an insightful article that speaks to the mental health related challenges that cause youth to turn to vaping. Please read the full article using the link below.

Understanding Tobacco Use in Louisiana: A Closer Look at Key Populations

A comprehensive look at Louisiana-based research on tobacco prevention and control, published in 2024.

TFL Semi-Annual Impact Report

TFL's Semi-Annual Impact Report features the incredible research, community outreach, and communications work that TFL executed from January to June 2025.

Cancer Trends Study (2015–2022) Conducted by the Louisiana Tumor Registry

The data shows a statistically significant decline in tobacco-related and lung cancer incidence rates in Orleans and Ouachita Parishes—two of the larger regions that implemented comprehensive smoke-free ordinances—compared to the rest of the state.