Tag Archives: TFL

Town Hall on St. Mary’s County Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results

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The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) and St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) hosted a Town Hall Meeting to present key findings from the 2014 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) for St. Mary’s County, Maryland on June 22, 2016 at the SMCPS Central Administration Office. The meeting presentation and associated fact sheets are available below for community members that were unable to attend the Town Hall.

6-22-16 Town Hall Meeting Presentation
YRBS Fact Sheet – Tobacco Use
YRBS Fact Sheet – Mental Health
YRBS Fact Sheet – Substance Use
YRBS Fact Sheet – Healthy Eating & Active Living

The YRBS is a national school-based survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with state and local-level education, health and governmental agencies. This survey monitors health-risk behaviors of the nation’s high school students which contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social issues among youth and young adults. Monitored behaviors include suicide; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behavior; violence; and diet, nutrition, and exercise.

The 2014 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was administered to students in the public high schools in St. Mary’s County. Participating students voluntarily completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire about their health behaviors. Survey procedures were designed to protect the privacy of students and adhered to local parental permission procedures.

“The aggregate YRBS data will help us identify the most pressing health concerns affecting our adolescent youth,” said Dr. Meenakshi Brewster, Health Officer for St. Mary’s County. “This information then guides community-wide efforts to provide our youth and families the services they really need.”

Community members are encouraged to review the materials from the Town Hall Meeting for a review of the results from this survey as well as information on local action to address health issues. For more information on the YRBS, visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/ or the SMCHD website at http://www.smchd.org/data.

St. Mary's County Health DepartmentYRBSSt. Mary's County Public Schools

Inaugural HSMP Meeting: Tobacco Free Living Session

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The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership will host its first annual meeting on Thursday June 4, 2015 from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown, Maryland. The meeting is only one month away – Register to save your seat now!

This meeting will be an opportunity for participants to network, learn from experts on the local health priority areas and to receive updates on coalition-wide business.

Spotlight – Tobacco Free Living

Kathleen HokeElectronic Cigarettes: Past, Present and Future

Kathleen Hoke, JD, Law School Professor and Director, Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy

The rapid rise in use of electronic nicotine delivery devices, or e-cigarettes has generated questions and concerns in communities nationwide. This session will provide an overview on e-cigarettes, current and anticipated regulations, and opportunities for local action.

Kathleen Hoke, JD, is a Law School Professor and Director of the Network for Public Health Law, Eastern Region and the Center for Tobacco Regulation at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. Hoke provides technical legal assistance to Maryland state and local health officials, legislators, and organizations working in the development of public health policy and tobacco control.  Recent work has focused on the regulation of cigars and the development of sound policies to create smoke-free multi-unit housing.

Learn more about Kathleen

Additional Forum Topics:

  • The Partnership and Local Health Improvement Planning
  • Access to Care
  • Behavioral Health
  • Healthy Eating & Active Living

Join us after the event for an optional Social Hour at the Oldetowne Pub in Leonardtown!

Quit Tobacco

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Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, killing more than 480,000 Americans each year. Smoking causes immediate damage to your body, which can lead to long-term health problems. For every smoking-related death, at least 30 Americans live with a smoking-related illness. The only proven strategy to protect yourself from harm is to never smoke, and if you do smoke or use tobacco products, to quit. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for smokers and their loved ones.

How to Quit

One of the keys to a successful quit is preparation. A great way to prepare to quit smoking is to create a quit plan.

FREE Quit Tobacco Classes and other resources are offered locally for persons who are ready to quit using tobacco through the St. Mary’s County Health Department.

All tobacco users can also take advantage of the FREE  Maryland Tobacco Quitline available 24 hours a day, seven days per week by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Quit Tobacco

Text QUIT to 47848, answer a few questions, and you’ll start receiving support to help you quit via text.

Click here to access more information and resources, as well as to hear tips from former tobacco users.

Content Sources: Centers for Disease Control, St. Mary's County Health Department, Smokefree.gov

Fraudulent ID Training

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Spread the word about this FREE training that is being offered by the Community Alcohol Coalition (CAC) in partnership with the St. Mary’s Sheriffs Department.

This training will educate servers, sellers, management, and owners on correct alcohol and tobacco sales and service practices.

If you or your staff are responsible for serving and/or selling alcohol or tobacco, then you know compliance is critical. Keeping informed and up to date on the most recent requirements can be challenging. This training program is designed to educate servers. seller, management and owners on correct alcohol and tobacco sales and service practices.

There are TWO sessions scheduled, a morning and an afternoon option to allow for flexibility. This is an opportunity for those involved in the sale of alcohol and tobacco to be informed on the most current polices and to network with peers and county officials.

Participants receive a “Certificate of Completion” and resource materials will be available.

All participants arc also eligible to receive door prizes.

Location
Bay District Volunteer Fire Department 46900 S Shangri-La Drive Lexington Park, MD
Date
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Two Time Slots Available 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Trainer
Cpl. James R. Stone
Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator Special Operations Division

Participants MUST RSVP by March 24th to:
Kendall Wood Program Coordinator
Phone: 240-434-7659
Fax: 30,475.6143
Email: Kendall.E.Wood@medstar.net