Actívatexto — a text message program to help Latinos quit smoking and move more
Actívatexto: Advancing smoking cessation and physical activity among Latinos
This program uses culturally tailored text messages plus a wearable activity tracker to help Latino smokers quit tobacco and increase physical activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11196069 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Actívatexto sends Spanish- and English-language text messages that encourage quitting and promote regular physical activity, and pairs that messaging with wearable activity trackers to monitor movement. People who join are randomly assigned to the combined texting + activity program or to standard care, and staff track smoking and activity over time using self-reports, wearable data, and biochemical cotinine tests. The team developed the program with a Latino community advisory board and builds on the earlier Decídetexto texting approach. If you participate, you would receive messages, a wearable device, help with quit planning, and periodic check-ins to measure progress.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Latino adults who currently smoke, are motivated to try quitting, can read texts in English or Spanish, and can use a mobile phone and wearable tracker are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not smoke, are not willing to receive text messages or wear a tracker, or who cannot safely increase physical activity due to medical limitations may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help more Latino smokers stop smoking and become more active, lowering their risk of smoking-related illness.
How similar studies have performed: A prior randomized trial of the team's Decídetexto texting program showed higher six-month quit rates (34.1% vs 20.6%), and Actívatexto builds on that proven approach by adding activity support.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cartujano, Francisco — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Cartujano, Francisco
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.