EX Program

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Persons with serious mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or recurrent major depression) are three times more likely to smoke tobacco than are persons in the general U.S. population. Smoking is the strongest preventable risk factor for the 10- to 15-year shortened life span of persons with serious mental illness. Helping these smokers quit is [.

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EX Program

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Quitting menthol cigarettes after 40 years of smoking is a huge achievement, on par with buying a first home or getting married. It’s absolutely life changing. Just ask Millie of the Bronx, New York. She started smoking menthol cigarettes when she was 15 years old because it was the ‘cool thing’ to do. She’s been [.] Read More. from Get Inspired: Millie’s Journey to Quitting Menthol Cigarettes The post Get Inspired: Millie’s Journey to Quitting Menthol Cigarettes appeared first on EX Program.

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EX Program

OCTOBER 11, 2023

Do high employee healthcare costs haunt you? The effects of employee vaping and smoking might have a bigger impact than you think. Everyone knows the typical health complications of tobacco use. But there are surprising—and lesser known—impacts of vaping and smoking likely lurking in your healthcare claims. Join us for a short 30-minute webinar on [.

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EX Program

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

You may have seen news about low nicotine cigarettes. That’s because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already authorized one brand of low nicotine cigarettes. The FDA has also indicated that it plans to create a rule that would require ALL cigarettes to have non-addictive levels of nicotine. Requiring all cigarettes to have non-addictive levels [.

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EX Program

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Many of us are used to seeing smoking and alcohol literally go hand-in-hand. On the patios at bars, at music festivals, and in movies when someone is feeling stressed or down. But smoking and alcohol are a dangerous combination, and not just because of the increased health risks. Called “poly-use,” the interplay between nicotine and [.] Read More. from 4 Key Facts about Smoking and Alcohol The post 4 Key Facts about Smoking and Alcohol appeared first on EX Program.

ATS 98

ATS 98

EX Program

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 5, 2023) – For the first time, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven program is being deployed to help adults nationwide quit smoking, vaping, and using nicotine. The EX® Program from Truth Initiative, the leading digital health program for tobacco addiction for employers and health plans, announced this week the launch of Scout, the [.

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EX Program

AUGUST 21, 2023

Many health risks of smoking are well-known, such as increased risk for cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. But there are lesser-known effects of smoking that can lead to significant costs for employers, too. Here’s a major example: hearing loss. Links Between Smoking and Hearing Loss It may seem strange that smoking could be connected [.

Examples 98

Examples Wellness 98

EX Program

AUGUST 15, 2023

Connect with us at HLTH 2023, which brings together healthcare leaders to accelerate innovation in the industry.

ATS 52

ATS Industry 52

EX Program

AUGUST 15, 2023

What does it mean to be trauma informed and why is this important for people who coach tobacco users? Let me explain. You’ve likely heard the term social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOH are the non-medical factors that affect people’s health and quality of life. They can include education, healthcare, neighborhood/built environment, economic stability, and [.

Coaching 52

Coaching 52

EX Program

AUGUST 7, 2023

When we participated in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Cancer Moonshot Smoking Cessation Forum last June, one priority was front and center throughout the meeting: the need to eliminate the marked disparities in smoking-related morbidity and mortality. Certain populations and communities are still disproportionately impacted by smoking and critically need support to quit tobacco.

Meeting 52

Meeting 52

EX Program

AUGUST 3, 2023

You’ve likely seen reports that the overall U.S. smoking rate has significantly declined in the past 2 decades. But that statement alone doesn’t tell the whole story. In many communities—where employees live and work—tobacco use remains high. In fact, smoking prevalence is nearly 50% higher in a group of Midwestern and Southern states compared to [.

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Groups Report 98

EX Program

JULY 18, 2023

HIV and smoking are a costly and deadly combination that absorbs significant Medicaid dollars. In 2022, the federal government spent an estimated $13 billion on Medicaid services for people with HIV. Additionally, state Medicaid spending totaled an estimated $5.4 billion in the same year. Antiretroviral therapies have provided the ability to live longer for those [.

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EX Program

JULY 11, 2023

Loneliness is known to affect many aspects of employee health…but is it as deadly as smoking? Loneliness is described as a state of mind linked to wanting human contact but feeling alone. It is associated with serious medical conditions as well as higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. In America, loneliness is making headlines [.] Read More. from Is Loneliness as Harmful as Smoking?

Wellness 69

Wellness 69

EX Program

JULY 6, 2023

You just invested in a new tobacco cessation program. Your next challenge is to get the word out to the people that need it. Which tactics will you use…a quit smoking poster, a flyer, or maybe a lunch-and-learn? These strategies all have their role and will reach some of your population, some of the time. [.] Read More. from Exciting New Partnership to Drive Uptake in Digital Health Using AI The post Exciting New Partnership to Drive Uptake in Digital Health Using AI appeared first on EX Program

Strategy 98

Strategy Compliance Training 98

EX Program

JUNE 21, 2023

There is a common misconception that smoking helps people deal with stress. But the truth is that smoking doesn’t actually help reduce stress. Most health plans continuously look for new ways to help members live healthier lives. But too often, health plans don’t focus enough on one proven way to help members reduce stress and [.] Read More. from Health Plan Tip Sheet: How to Help Members with “Stress Smoking” The post Health Plan Tip Sheet: How to Help Members with “Stress Smoking”

How To 52

How To 52

EX Program

JUNE 12, 2023

In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new statistics about smoking and tobacco use among U.S. adults. The main finding was a headline-grabbing conclusion that cigarette smoking continues to decline. That’s welcome news but it doesn’t tell the whole story. See 3 facts from the CDC’s new statistics about smoking and [.

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EX Program

JUNE 6, 2023

Stress smoking refers to when people are under stress and smoke. But the truth is…stress smoking doesn’t actually help reduce stress. With mental health and burnout top of mind, HR benefits professionals are on the hunt for better benefits to serve employee needs. But there is one benefit that has been proven to help individuals reduce stress [.] Read More. from Tip Sheet: How to Help Employees with “Stress Smoking” The post Tip Sheet: How to Help Employees with “Stress Smoking” appeared first o

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How To 98

EX Program

MAY 25, 2023

Introduction We determined whether a tobacco cessation intervention targeting brief perioperative abstinence (“quit for a bit”) increased engagement of surgical patients with treatment compared with an intervention targeting long-term postoperative abstinence (“quit for good”). Aims and Methods Surgical patients who smoke were stratified according to intended duration of postoperative abstinence, and then randomized within strata [.

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EX Program

MAY 15, 2023

After the Met Gala on May 1, “Doja Cat vape” started to trend in Google. Here’s a likely reason why. The Met Gala is well known for its over-the-top displays of fashion, and the latest event was no exception. This year, though, rapper Doja Cat drew attention for more than her sleek outfit: She was [.] Read More. from Why the Trending Search Term “Doja Cat Vape” Is a Big Deal The post Why the Trending Search Term “Doja Cat Vape” Is a Big Deal appeared first on EX Program.

Trends 92

Trends Wellness 92

EX Program

MAY 11, 2023

Have you ever talked about a group of employees using these phrases: “I think [a group of people] are foolish.” “Some people who [engage in a behavior] may be smart, but most of them aren’t.” “I dislike [a group of people].” Think these phrases are derogatory or judgmental? It might surprise you to learn that [.] Read More. from What is a Social Consequence of Using Tobacco?

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Groups Compliance Training 94

EX Program

APRIL 27, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 27, 2023) – Two leading organizations in digital health, the EX® Program from Truth Initiative®, the most validated digital health program for tobacco addiction for employers, and Sesh, a leading mental health platform, announced a partnership today to address top drivers of healthcare costs among employers and health plans. “As more people [.

Planning Tools 52

Planning Tools 52

EX Program

APRIL 26, 2023

Empathy can be powerful in any type of setting. Defined as the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing, communicating with empathy can be especially powerful with driving smoking cessation outcomes. Unlike sympathy—which is similar but puts a degree of separation between people— empathy is about fostering connection in a way that’s [.

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EX Program

APRIL 20, 2023

[.] Read More. from Webinar: Workplace Stress & Burnout The post Webinar: Workplace Stress & Burnout appeared first on EX Program.

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EX Program

APRIL 13, 2023

What does the environment have to do with the vendors you select for your health and wellness benefits? Plenty. In recent years, more and more companies are pledging to work only with vendors that adhere to social and environmental standards. At Truth Initiative, protecting the environment has long been a priority. We believe that all [.] Read More. from How Truth Initiative Prioritizes Environmental Impact The post How Truth Initiative Prioritizes Environmental Impact appeared first on EX Progr

Wellness 59

Wellness Company ATS 59

EX Program

JANUARY 30, 2023

The EX Program partners with numerous Medicaid health plans, including ones in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Since partnering with the EX Program, these Medicaid health plans have increased member engagement in quitting tobacco. For example, with one health plan client, the EX Program drove a 70% increase in 2022 member enrollments over 2021 numbers, [.

Examples 40

Examples Case Study Study 40

EX Program

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

No surprise: the need for employee mental health support remains a top priority for employers in 2023. But not everyone is using healthy means to cope with today’s unrelenting stress. Cigarette sales in the U.S. have been higher than expected after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. During the pandemic, 28% of former smokers [.] Read More. from 4 Myths about Tobacco Use and Employee Mental Health The post 4 Myths about Tobacco Use and Employee Mental Health appeared first on EX Pr

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EX Program

FEBRUARY 9, 2023

If your company has a tobacco use surcharge and an employee who smokes moves without your knowledge to a state that prohibits tobacco surcharges, is your company at risk? It’s a good question. In a recent blog post, I addressed how employers with tobacco use policies can—and can’t—handle enforcing those policies when an employee works [.] Read More. from Tobacco Use Surcharge Issues When Remote Employees Secretly Work in Different States The post Tobacco Use Surcharge Issues When Remote Employee

Policies 40

Policies Company ATS 40

EX Program

FEBRUARY 14, 2023

Wonder how to motivate someone to quit smoking, especially when they’re not ready to quit? The good news is most people who smoke do want to quit. But sometimes what it takes to motivate someone to quit isn’t the same thing that helps someone stay quit. This is why it’s best to offer several elements [.] Read More. from How to Motivate Someone to Quit Smoking—and Stay Quit The post How to Motivate Someone to Quit Smoking—and Stay Quit appeared first on EX Program.

How To 40

How To 40

EX Program

MARCH 1, 2023

With nearly 1 in 5 Tennessee residents smoking, city regulations take effect prohibiting indoor smoking and vaping in 21+ establishments. WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 1, 2023) – More than 30 million adults nationwide still smoke, and nearly 70% of smokers want to quit. According to a recent study in JAMA Open Network, quit attempts among adult [.] Read More. from Nashville Bar Owner Shares Journey to Quit Nicotine As Smoke-Free Ordinance Goes into Effect The post Nashville Bar Owner Shares Journey to

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Study 40

EX Program

MARCH 1, 2023

Medical device manufacturer B. Braun launched the EX Program in October 2020. Headquartered in Bethlehem, PA, B. Braun has 6,000 benefits-eligible U.S. employees. In 2022, 90% of employees who attested to tobacco use registered for the EX Program. Among those who enrolled, 95% actively engaged in the program. See 4 factors driving high engagement in [.

Case Study 40

Case Study Study 40

EX Program

MARCH 23, 2023

With any digital health program, member engagement makes or breaks the solution. This is also true for our program, which helps people overcome tobacco addiction. As a seasoned marketing professional, I maximize the ROI for clients through strategic campaign development, planning, and execution. And in every place I’ve been, there is one constant that always [.

Planning Tools 40

Planning Tools 40

EX Program

MARCH 31, 2023

Easy access to therapists, telehealth, and remote work options are expected benefits nowadays for employee mental health support. But there is one benefit that can give employee mental health a significant boost…and you likely aren’t using it. It’s a program that actively engages employees in quitting all forms of tobacco. Connection between Mental Health and [.

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40

EX Program

APRIL 5, 2023

[.] Read More. from EX Program Presenting at 2023 Health & Benefits Leadership Conference The post EX Program Presenting at 2023 Health & Benefits Leadership Conference appeared first on EX Program.

Conference 40

Conference ATS 40

EX Program

APRIL 5, 2023

[.] Read More. from EX Program Presenting at 2023 Health & Benefits Leadership Conference The post EX Program Presenting at 2023 Health & Benefits Leadership Conference appeared first on EX Program.

Conference 52

Conference ATS 52

EX Program

MARCH 31, 2023

Easy access to therapists, telehealth, and remote work options are expected benefits nowadays for employee mental health support. But there is one benefit that can give employee mental health a significant boost…and you likely aren’t using it. It’s a program that actively engages employees in quitting all forms of tobacco. Connection between Mental Health and [.

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EX Program

MARCH 23, 2023

With any digital health program, member engagement makes or breaks the solution. This is also true for our program, which helps people overcome tobacco addiction. As a seasoned marketing professional, I maximize the ROI for clients through strategic campaign development, planning, and execution. And in every place I’ve been, there is one constant that always [.

Planning Tools 52

Planning Tools 52

EX Program

MARCH 1, 2023

Medical device manufacturer B. Braun launched the EX Program in October 2020. Headquartered in Bethlehem, PA, B. Braun has 6,000 benefits-eligible U.S. employees. In 2022, 90% of employees who attested to tobacco use registered for the EX Program. Among those who enrolled, 95% actively engaged in the program. See 4 factors driving high engagement in [.

Case Study 52

Case Study Study 52