Florida AHEC Network
The Florida Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Network is an extensive, statewide Network of five AHEC Program Offices affiliated with the Colleges of Medicine at Florida State University, NOVA Southeastern University, University of Florida, University of Miami, and University of South Florida and ten community based, not-for-profit centers. This statewide Network is dedicated to improving the health of rural and other medically underserved communities, particularly through the treatment of tobacco dependency. The 10 Area Health Education Centers serve all 67 counties of the state and are governed by independent boards of directors who are knowledgeable and responsive to the communities they represent.
The overall goal of the AHEC Tobacco Training & Cessation Program is to strengthen the capacity of Florida’s healthcare system to deliver effective evidence-based tobacco use treatment, cessation, and prevention services throughout the state. The Program is founded upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs in the following areas:
1. Educating and Training Health Professions Students
2. Offering Continuing Education to Practicing Health Professionals
3. Providing Cessation Services for Tobacco Users
4. Putting the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treating Tobacco Use and
Dependence into Practice
