External Evaluation of TSET Programs Show Positive Impact on Health Behaviors

An evaluation of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust’s community-based grants and public health education programs show measurable progress in changing the health behaviors of Oklahomans. These programs work to prevent and reduce tobacco use, educate on the dangers of secondhand smoke and encourage Oklahomans to eat better, move more and be tobacco free. 

The evaluations showed:

• Counties with a Communities of Excellence Grant in Tobacco Control had a higher proportion of smokers making quit attempts; higher awareness of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1-800-QUIT-NOW); more smokers didn't allow smoking in their homes.
   
• Counties with a Communities of Excellence Grant in Physical Activity and Nutrition showed increases in awareness about obesity and its health effects; increases in the number of businesses, schools and workplaces with healthier food and drink policies and opportunities for physical activity.
   
• Public health media campaigns are prompting Oklahomans to make positive health choices; 40 percent of registrants to the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline reported that they heard about the service through the media campaign; more Oklahomans reported exercising four or more times per week and filling half their plates with fruits and vegetables, goals of the Shape Your Future campaign.

To see more evaluation results and learn more about reduced smoking and improved health behaviors in Oklahoma, click here.

TSET Board of Directors Deepens Committment to Recruiting Physicians to Rural Oklahoma

Four years ago, the TSET Board of Directors made the initial grant to the Physician Manpower Training Commission to fund a total of 42 physicians. The first group of doctors will complete their four years of service in January 2017, and TSET's continued investment will allow PMTC to continue recruiting new doctors to the loan repayment program in effort to improve access to preventative screenings and care. Earlier this year, the TSET Board of Directors agreed to provide ongoing funding for 42 slots in the Oklahoma Medical Loan Repayment Program through the TSET grant to the Physician Manpower Training Commission. This will ensure no lag in enrolling doctors in the program. The ongoing slots will be refilled as doctors complete their four year commitments to the program.

Kingston Receives a Healthy Community and Healthy District Incentive Grant Award

The city of Kingston and the Kingston School District were honored recently for their efforts to promote health in the Marshall County community.  The city of Kingston and the Kingston School District were both awarded incentive grants by the TSET Board of Directors. Kingston was awarded a $20,000 Healthy Community Incentive Grant at the gold level for adopting policies and strategies that promote health and improved quality of life in their community.  Grant funds are frequently used to leverage other funds for community projects. The Kingston School District worked with the Wal-Mart Foundation to receive additional funds for the playground project at Kingston Elementary School. The playground appeals to children under age 6 and creates a space for physical activity for school children and community members after the school bell rings.

Four Public School Districts Honored For Work To Promote Health

Four school districts were honored recently for their efforts to promote health for students, teachers and staff.

Bluejacket, Stilwell, Miami and Cleora School Districts all received awards as part of the Healthy School District Incentive Grant program through the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). 

Making the Easy Choice, the Healthy Choice: TSET FY 15 Annual Report

By partnering statewide, TSET focuses on supporting healthy choices to reduce unhealthy behaviors before they take root. Tobacco use and obesity cause half of all cancers and are the primary risk factors for the leading causes of death in our state – cancer and cardiovascular disease. To learn more, take a look at the FY 15 Annual Report.

Monthly Policy Update

Two bills in the state legislature could impact the TSET Board of Directors' authority to invest in grants and programs that aim to reduce the leading causes of death in our state - cancer and cardiovascular disease. 

• SJR71 asks voters to amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to use earnings to fund the Oklahoma Medicaid Program. This takes away authority from TSET’s seven-member board, appointed by key elected officials. This bill has passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Rules Committee.
  
  
• HJR1045 asks voters to amend the state constitution to require the TSET Board of Directors to use 10 percent of research earnings used to fund research for pediatric cancer research and care. Funding requirement would be phased in as current grants end. This bill has passed through the House and has been assigned to the Senate Rules Committee.

• If you have any questions about these bills, please contact Julie Bisbee by phone at 405-301-3693 or via email. 

TSET Campaign Honored with Multiple 2016 Addy Awards

TSET received multiple 2016 Addy Awards from the combined OKC and Tulsa Ad Clubs in February, including the first ever People’s Choice Award for the Shape Your Future Yumscars Social Media Mini-campaign. TSET, with support from the Oklahoma State Department of Health and VI Marketing and Branding, also won the following awards: Two Gold and Bronze Awards as well as a Silver Award.

Thank you for participating in TSET Day at the Capitol 2016

TSET Day at the Capitol 2016 was a success. Thank you to all who attended and supported TSET's efforts to showcase our work in prevention, research and community-based grants aimed at reducing tobacco use and obesity. Check out 2016 county and legislative impact sheets, click here.