Evaluation of a culturally appropriate peer coaching program for smoking cessation

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer coaching smoking cessation program in a high‐risk Medicaid population. Design and Sample In this manuscript, we present an evaluation of a pilot program. Participants ( N  = 138) were recruited out of a larger smoking cessation program administered statewide and funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The participant sample was diverse, with 52% self‐identifying as White, 39% as Black, and 56% Latino ethnicity (any race). Methods Motivational interviewing techniques were utilized by peer coaches in clinical and community settings to achieve smoking cessation using face‐to‐face, telephone, and text/email encounters over a period of 6 months. Results There was a statistically significant increase in the number of participants who had quit smoking from program enrollment to discharge (5.1%–18.5%, p  = 0.02). Number of peer coaching encounters predicted quitting in program participants. Conclusions This study adds to the literature that community‐based smoking cessation services led by peer coaches can be effective in a diverse, high‐risk population.