TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee was the keynote speaker at Oklahoma 4-H Healthy Living Summit earlier this month. At the Summit, 4-H students showcased healthy living projects that are taking place across the state shared information on topics like fitness, the dangers of vaping, and healthy eating.
“It is extremely important that we nurture healthy behaviors among youth because those habits learn young last a lifetime,” Bisbee said. “I was impressed at how engaged these young people were in helping to create healthier schools, communities and committed to making positive choices for themselves.”
4-H’s Healthy Living programs aim to guide youth towards choices that lead to a healthier body and mind. This program empowers youth to lead healthy lifestyles that will last into adulthood. These programs not only focus on physical health but also the mental health of youth as it is just as important in improving quality of life.
An innovative public/private partnership with the Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA) and the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has produced more than 40,000 referral to the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. The Hospitals Helping Patients Quit program connects patients to resources that help them break addiction to nicotine and live longer lives.
“Tobacco use is still the leading cause of death in Oklahoma and this public-private partnership has changed hospital systems across Oklahoma by identifying tobacco users when they arrive for care,” said TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee. “This critical step enables trained medical professionals to offer life-saving advice about quitting tobacco through the confidential and trusted bond of a doctor-patient relationship. Patients who say they are ready to quit can opt into services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline while at their visit. The direct connection to Helpline services removes barriers and makes it easy for patients to start their quit journey.”
If you or a loved one is trying to quit smoking, a referral is not necessary to receive services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, and the upcoming Great American Smokeout on November 21 is a great opportunity for anyone thinking of quitting tobacco. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit OKhelpline.com to explore all the free services and resources available to Oklahomans.
To read more about the OHA and TSET collaboration, please click here.
A Del City convenience store has become a hit for health. Sunny Express at 1809 S. Sunnylane Road has partnered with the TSET Healthy Living Program (HLP) to stock nutritional food and display TSET HLP materials to promote healthy living.
“High schoolers visit this store very heavily,” said Lauran Larson, business coordinator with Oklahoma County HLP. “Kids love buying the fruit.”
Following a Food Availability and Marketing Survey, Oklahoma County HLP and the Wellness Now Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition worked with Sunny Express to incentivize stocking healthy alternatives. The program donated a shelf, fruit, signage and technical assistance. This created a risk-free opportunity for the store to participate.
“The profit margin is good,” said Santosh Kumar, Sunny Express owner. “People like healthy options. It’s not a bad idea for everyone to do it.”
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Eating and spending time with loved ones during Thanksgiving can be a joyful experience, but it can also challenge us in our health goals. That’s why Shape Your Future offers a variety of tasty holiday dishes that are also nutritious. Shape Your Future also offers tips on how to stay active through the holiday season.
For Thanksgiving, rather than cooking a dish high in sugar, try Shape Your Future’s recipe for pumpkin bread. Click here for more family-friendly, healthy fall activities that you and your family can all enjoy.
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