 The TSET Board of Directors awarded grants to 36 communities and schools at their March meeting.
TSET Healthy Incentive grants are awarded to communities and schools that have implemented key strategies to create an environment that encourages Oklahomans to eat better, move more and be tobacco free.
“Learning healthy habits at a young age and living in an environment that encourages good health are key to reducing premature and preventable death in Oklahoma. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the efforts of local schools and communities,” said TSET Board Chair Michelle Stephens. “These schools and communities have taken steps to improve the health of their residents, students, teachers and staff, and those efforts will have a positive impact in our state for years to come.”
Read more.
TSET has been working with a Department of Defense initiative to provide resources to military families to help them stay healthy.
Building Healthy Military Communities (BHMC) supports the health and well-being of service members and their families who live off base by connecting them to valuable military and community resources for whole health that, in Oklahoma, include the programs and services of TSET.
Since October 2018, Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, Tobacco Stops With Me, and Shape Your Future have shared resources and information through the BHMC monthly newsletter. More recently, My Life, My Quit, the TSET Better Health Podcast, TSET Healthy Youth Initiative campaigns and the TSET Healthy Living Program have also been featured.
Oklahoma is one of only seven states chosen to participate in the BHMC pilot program. TSET is pleased to partner with BHMC to meet the needs of our service members.
Learn more about BHMC.
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FROM THE JOURNAL RECORD:
On March 15, Michael Clark joined TSET as an accountant working across the organization’s many programs and grants.
Clark earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri where he was also a student athlete running the 800 meters. He began his professional career in the banking industry working in operations at Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase Bank and MidFirst Bank.
An Oklahoma native, Clark transitioned into public service in 2019 working in the Banking Operations division of the State Treasurer’s Office before becoming an accountant in the Accounting and Portfolio division.
“I love that TSET promotes and supports healthy behaviors in children,” said Clark. “Through the influence of programs like the Healthy Incentive Grant Program, the lifespan of many children will be extended because they’ll be equipped to make better decisions when it comes to their health.”
In his spare time, he enjoys eating healthy, singing, and (on special occasions) baking.
Get to know TSET's staff.
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Just in time for farmers market season, Shape Your Future, in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, has developed an interactive map of farmers markets around the state.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a farmers market pro, Shape Your Future provides tips, videos and more to help you make the most of your farmers market trip.
Learn more about Oklahoma farmers markets near you.
In the most recent blog, Tobacco Stops With Me spoke with Adam Alexander, Ph.D., Assistant Professor with the TSET Health Promotion Research Center, about Project Trinity, a new long-term project exploring connections between tobacco use and trauma, particularly among African Americans.
"My work focuses on addressing smoking cessation among African Americans and there's a great deal of research out there that shows that African Americans are less likely to quit tobacco," Alexander said."When I came to the TSET HPRC, I wanted to explore factors that serve as either barriers or facilitators of smoking cessation."
Read the full interview.
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Shape Your Future recently spoke with Dr. Ashley Weedn, a pediatrician, assistant professor and director of the Healthy Futures Clinic in Oklahoma City, about teaching Oklahoma youth how to make healthy choices. Teaching those lessons early on can help reduce the state’s high rate of childhood obesity and increase their chances for brighter, longer lives.
“Healthy eating is an important part of maintaining overall health for everyone,” said Weedn. “Keep in mind that even making one healthy habit change, such as limiting sugary beverages, can improve health.”
Read the blog post and learn more about how to help young Oklahomans live healthier lives.
Food insecurity in Oklahoma was higher than the national average before the pandemic. Since then, the need for food access has only increased, especially in rural Oklahoma. Coming May 5, the next episode of the TSET Better Health podcast highlights a few inspiring stories from recipients of the 2020 TSET Food Systems Impact Grants.
Available on TSET's website and everywhere podcasts are listened to: Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher, PodBean, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
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