TSET research partnership will advance childhood cancer research 

A major funding partnership between the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, Stephenson Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center will enhance Stephenson Cancer Center’s commitment to cancer research and care to Oklahomans of all ages.

With an upfront combined investment of $2.2 million, the research partnership will recruit three externally-funded pediatric cancer researchers, expand pediatric clinical trials statewide and establish funding for pediatric cancer research to support future research aimed at increasing knowledge and understanding of childhood cancers.

To learn more about the funding partnership, click here. 

TSET Board of Directors award incentive grants to four school districts and two school sites

A total of $40,625 was awarded to four districts and two school sites as part of the Healthy Schools Incentive Grants program. The awarded districts plan to use their incentive grant funds for a range of health promoting strategies such as purchasing exercise equipment, health education curriculum, AEDs and disaster kits or equipment to provide fresh, clean drinking water. The school sites plan to use funds for Action Based Learning equipment as well as stand up desks and kinesthetic classroom equipment. Research shows kids who are active achieve better academic outcomes.

Henryetta Public Schools honored for work to promote health

The Henryetta Public School district was presented with a $5,000 check earlier this month as part of the Healthy School District Incentive Grant program. They will use the TSET funds to purchase an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to provide emergency care for students, staff or patrons in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.  The district will also purchase physical education curriculum and a drinking fountain.

The Oklahoma Commissioner of Health and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Terry Cline praised Henryetta schools for its commitment to improving health.

“Henryetta Public Schools is helping to create a culture of health,” Cline said. “These efforts impact students, staff and influence the community to be a healthier place. These efforts also help young people develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”

Pictured from left to right: Jayme Matlock, Elementary Assistant Principal; Sharon Howard, TSET Healthy Schools Program Manager; Kelly Furer, Elementary Principal; Dwayne Noble, Superintendent; Tracey Strader, TSET Executive Director; Sen. Roger Thompson; Rep. Steve Kouplen;  Dr. Terry Cline, Oklahoma Commissioner of Health and Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Shape Your Future recommends choosing water to reduce childhood obesity

Choosing water over high-calorie sugary beverages could help slow the increase in childhood obesity in Oklahoma – where one in three youths is overweight or obese. Youth who are not at a healthy weight are at an increased risk for immediate health issues like bone or joint problems and sleep apnea, along with long-term health problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. They are also more likely to become obese adults.

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Shape Your Future, a health education intervention funded by TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust), is tackling the childhood obesity epidemic by offering Oklahoma families easy-to-follow health tips to reduce Oklahoma’s increasing rate of childhood obesity. 

In addition to weight gain, drinking one or more sugar-sweetened beverages daily raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 26 percent. Each additional serving of soda increases a child’s likelihood of developing obesity by 60 percent.

The majority of Oklahomans aged 18 to 34 drink at least one sugary drink per day – a rate that’s higher than any other state in the nation. Many Oklahomans in this age range are starting families or caring for children in their homes. If sugar-sweetened beverages are not in the home, parents and children are more likely to choose water the next time they reach for something to drink.

For more information about National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and for healthy tips and resources, visit ShapeYourFutureOK.com.

Oklahoma City public transit organization adopts tobacco-free policy

The Oklahoma County TSET Healthy Living Program grantee partnered with EMBARK, formerly Oklahoma City’s Metro Transit, as the public transit organization made its move to tobacco-free properties on Aug. 1, 2016. All tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping or e-cigarette devices and chewing tobacco are now prohibited at EMBARK’s transit stops, shelters, facilities and vehicles. “It was important to EMBARK to provide our customers, as well as our staff, transportation options that supported healthy lifestyles,” said Megan White, EMBARK Marketing Coordinator. “Our new policy prohibits tobacco use on our properties, but we also hope it will encourage our stakeholders to reduce and hopefully quit tobacco products as well.”