546: New Youth Tobacco Data, Celebrate Rural Health

JANSON SILVERS: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, November 16, 2023. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

CHARLA SUTTON: 

It's a really great achievement in public health's fight against the U.S. tobacco use.

SILVERS: 

ASTHO's Charla Sutton tracking the latest national youth tobacco survey that shows e-cigarette use among high school students dropping from 14.1% in 2022 to 10% this year.

SUTTON: 

The decline in high school student e-cigarette use could be due to multiple factors, including tobacco control strategies and efforts at the national, state, and local levels, as well as the FDA's regulatory actions. 

SILVERS: 

The numbers are encouraging, but Sutton reminds us that the work is never done.

SUTTON: 

A comprehensive approach for youth tobacco cessation and prevention are critical to eliminating tobacco use. Additionally, policies such as price increases, comprehensive smoke-free policies, counter marketing campaigns, and local and state flavor bans will be key to driving down tobacco use among students and reducing tobacco-related disparities. 

SILVERS: 

Today is the Great American Smokeout. An opportunity for tobacco users to begin their quit journey. You can read the latest national youth tobacco survey and get smokeout information using the links in the show notes.

SILVERS: 

Today is National Rural Health Day. This is Chris Salyers with the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

CHRIS SALYERS: 

It showcases the collaborative endeavors of state public health departments, SOARs, and other stakeholders to ensure equitable healthcare access and improve the quality of life in rural communities.

SILVERS: 

Salyers says many people do outstanding health and public health work in rural America. His organization unveils a new group of Community Stars today.

SALYERS: 

It aligns with the goal of National Rural Health Day by celebrating dedication, innovation, and community centric healthcare. So, Community Stars echo NOSORH's mission by spotlighting exemplary contributions within the rural health continuum.

SILVERS: 

Salyers says National Rural Health Day gives everyone an opportunity to recognize those bringing care to rural communities.

SALYERS: 

Individuals and organizations can participate in or organize events, webinars, and local community activities to celebrate. They can also collaborate with state offices of rural health and other rural stakeholders. Uh, social media is a very powerful tool. So, using the hashtag #PowerOfRural can help spread the word.

SILVERS: 

You can get ideas for your own celebration and see the 2023 class of Community Stars by clicking the link in the show notes. Also today, ASTHO celebrates the work of state offices of rural health in a new blog article. O'Keyla Cooper has that story.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

State offices of rural health assist rural communities in developing health care systems and supporting public and nonprofit entities. They collaborate with various organizations to sustain healthcare and foster thriving communities. For National Rural Health Day, ASTHO spoke with Alisa Druzba, director of New Hampshire's Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. To learn more about the role of state offices of rural health and their impact, find the link to the full interview in the show notes.

SILVERS: 

Finally, this morning, Public Health Thank You Day is next Monday, November 20. As we interview people for the newscasts, we've been asking them what they're thankful for. You can hear their comments each day between now and thanksgiving. Today's thank you note is by ASTHO's Alex Wheatley.

ALEX WHEATLEY: 

I'm thankful for the group of friends that I get to call my local family.

SILVERS: 

The American Public Health Association has a web page with resources to help you celebrate the day. We have the link in the show notes.

Before we go, we'd like to remind you to follow this newscast on your podcast player and ASTHO on social media. We're on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. That'll do it for today.

We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Janson Silvers. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.