RPTFC Website News
What can you find on the Regional PA Tobacco-Free Coalitions (RPTFC) website today? A new tab called diverse populations has been added and supplied with more than a dozen links to vital getting-to-know-our-neighbors' documents. You can now locate research and information covering a variety of disparate populations. Priority populations include: behavioral health population, chronic diseases, pregnant woman, people experiencing homelessness, rural geographic areas with the Amish and Mennonite, and more. Also, new garden signs have been added to our resources section (see article below).
Sign-Up Incentive Ends Dec 31st!
The Regional PA Tobacco-Free Coalitions Membership Sign-Up Incentive Program ends December 31st! If you can influence your coworkers, partners and friends to sign-up to become a member before the end of the year, then you can receive one Regional Coalition item of your choice! You may select from up to five items as a thank you from us! See our join page for further details. And, new members can select three coalition items just for joining the coalition! Contact Chelsey Hildebrand for additional details.
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Health Plan Selection Assistance
Many of the American Lung Association's mission focal points build upon people having quality and affordable healthcare, yet far too many neighbors with or at risk for lung disease, do not have adequate healthcare coverage. We are asking for your assistance in sharing information with your networks about how your clients can sign up for coverage via Healthcare.gov between now and January 15th. New financial assistance is available to many this year as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act, legislation that the Lung Association strongly advocated for earlier this year. This means more people than ever can afford coverage to diagnose and manage their lung disease, or to quit smoking.
The Lung Association has developed resources to help patients with lung disease and their families navigate the enrollment process at www.lung.org/openenrollment. We have some great tools this year:
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A new infographic to help patients with asthma choose a healthcare plan
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Updated infographics to help patients with COPD and chronic cough navigate the enrollment process
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New videos where Shawni J. from Missouri and Jenny W. from Arizona share their experiences signing up for coverage from Healthcare.gov that helps them manage their asthma.
Please share these resources with your networks, including local leadership boards, community-based organizations and other audiences. Additionally, we have template slides on open enrollment available for you to add into existing presentations. For these slides or for any questions, please reach out to Hannah Green.
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New! Tobacco-Free Community Garden Signs
Article by David Huber, American Lung Association
Even gardens could use some help against the harm of tobacco. The American Lung Association (ALA) in Pennsylvania has been working with York Front Street Farms Community Gardens to go tobacco-free. Tobacco-free, community gardens is not only important for the lungs of gardeners, but also for the growth of the plants. Tobacco and cigarettes can be a vector for Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), an RNA virus that negatively affects plants. TMV can be spread mechanically through touch or physical movement of tobacco residue. TMV infects a wide host range of vegetable plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Although TMV rarely kills plants, it severely stunts their growth and reduces crop yields.
To assist with the campaign to go smoke & tobacco-free, ALA in Pennsylvania created eight smoke-free community garden signs that can be ordered for community gardens across the commonwealth. These new signs will be coupled with a campaign to educate community members about how tobacco residue can be hazardous to the growth of vegetable plants. For questions, contact Health Promotions Specialist, David Huber.
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The Story of Survival Behind Christmas Seals
Louise, now a PA resident, was just 10 years old when she and her brother, Robert, were chosen by the American Lung Association to be the inspiration for one of their iconic Christmas Seals. This honor was bestowed on the siblings because they had just returned from an eight-month stint in a tuberculosis (TB) sanitorium, where they saw first-hand the devastation lung disease could have on the community.
At the time, Louise, her six siblings, parents and grandmother lived on a farm in New Jersey. It was her grandmother who first contracted TB and was sent to a sanitorium. Soon after, the children were tested with patch tests at school and, though both Louise and her brother had no symptoms, the tests came back positive. This required the family do a follow-up chest X-ray which showed a shadow on her lungs. “I remember it was about two weeks before Christmas, and I cried because my father said he had to send us away,” Louise said.
Being so young, Louise remembers little of her time in the sanitorium, instead recalling the feeling of isolation. “Looking back, they were really great. I had a tutor so that I didn’t fall behind in my education. That was my main focus because my family was busy with the farm and couldn’t visit often. It was lonely because I came from such a large family, and I was alone for Christmas which was very heartbreaking,” Louise remembered.
Luckily, everyone in Louise’s family recovered and returned home. But the experience inspired her parents to get involved with the American Lung Association, the organization that is credited with finally bringing the TB epidemic to an end. This is how Louise became aware of the Christmas Seals program.
During COVID, Louise has sewn together lifesaving masks. She made over 3,500 masks in which she donated to churches, schools and hospitals. Read Loise's full Story of Survival to learn more about her and her family.
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Job Opening: Tobacco Enforcement Inspectors
The American Lung Association is hiring three Tobacco Enforcement Inspectors in the Health Promotion and Education department. Work as an independent contractor to meet grant deliverables for the American Lung Association (ALA) funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. One open position is available for each of ALA's three regions: Northcentral Tobacco Control, Southcentral Tobacco Control and Northeast Tobacco Control. Conduct retailer compliance checks in accordance with Act 112 and Synar regulations established by the Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
To apply for a Tobacco Enforcement Inspector position, please email your cover letter and resume to Derek.Leshak@Lung.org. Include the title in the subject line of your email, and add the counties you are interested in serving in your cover letter. Inform your friends!
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Virtual Asthma Educator Institute: Course Scheduled for February 8, 9 & 11, 2022
If you’re a healthcare professional or asthma educator, you will not want to miss this virtual Asthma Educator Institute Course on February 8, 9 & 11 at 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST each day. CEU/CME credits will be available for a variety of healthcare professions and for AE-C re-certification. This three half-day prep course is designed for healthcare professionals who want to implement asthma guidelines-based care and are eligible to sit for the national asthma certification exam. Registration for this live webinar includes: course materials, live instruction, CEU/CME credits, a virtual exhibitor hall and more.
This event will be using the newest virtual platform, providing the latest top features. New tools include a virtual exhibitor hall, networking opportunities and engagement for attendees. Early bird registration ends on December 18th. If you have any questions, email asthmaeducatorinstitute@lung.org.
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Meet The Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Team
Article by Thurman Brendlinger, Clean Air Council
A smoke-free lifestyle in apartments and condominiums offers tremendous financial advantages. The health benefits are even better.
To help multi-unit housing owners and dwellers to achieve smoke-free living, the American Lung Association and Clean Air Council have teamed up. They will assist, FREE of charge, with establishing, implementing and maintaining comprehensive non-smoking policy for condominiums or apartments. Building staff, residents and their families who choose to quit smoking will be introduced to certified professional tobacco cessation providers to aid in the process.
Contact Thurman Brendlinger, Clean Air Council Program Director at 215-567-4004, Ext 104 or brendlinger@cleanair.org for more details. Smoke-Free Living – You Deserve It!
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Taking Down Tobacco in November with Tony Delonti
Article by Tony Delonti, American Lung Association
Tony Delonti, Health Promotions Specialist with the American Lung Association, had a very busy November! Tony presented Taking Down Tobacco nicotine prevention programs for over 400 students at Hanover Area Jr-Sr High School, in Hanover Township in Pennsylvania on November 1st, 2nd & 8th. The presentation was well received by the students.
Tony also conducted a peer education program for 9 students at Maple Manor Middle School in Hazleton. The are currently conducting programs for their younger students. (Picture is Maple Manor group photo with advisor, Leighann Feola.)
On November 17th, Taking Down Tobacco nicotine prevention programs were presented to over 100 students at Holy Cross High School, in Dunmore, Pennsylvania by Tony. He also took this opportunity to sign up interested youth in TRU. TRU signup tables were conducted at Holy Cross High School as part of their Great America Smokeout activities. If you need a hand with presenting to students about the harmful effects of tobacco in the Northeast region, then Tony Delonti may be your person!
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Harrisburg Area YMCA Recognized as a Valuable Partner
Article by Amy Lauver, Harrisburg Area YMCA
On Friday, December 3, 2021, staff from the Harrisburg Area YMCA’s Center, For Healthy Living, were invited to attend a press conference hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Secretary Noe Ortega, and Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Secretary Jen Smith. The press conference was held at the Halifax Area High School. The school district was recognized as doing great work in the area of tobacco prevention. The Harrisburg Area YMCA was recognized as one of the valuable community partners with the school district in the area of tobacco education, prevention, and cessation. To learn more details about all of YMCA's vital programs, please visit their website at Harrisburg Area YMCA.
Pictured: David Hatfield, District Superintendent, highlighting substance use prevention resources available to schools in Halifax.
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