Local medical students & public health professionals headline educational discussion of consequences of tobacco use
In collaboration with Trinity Free Clinic and the Hamilton County Health Department, Breathe Easy presented a Community Conversation about the physical and economic consequences of tobacco on Thursday.
Lunch highlighted the point-of-sale tactics used by tobacco companies to allure youth and adults. A panel discussion was led by Tiffany Nichols, Advocacy Director for American Lung Association. She has an extensive background in working with the State Department of Health, Black Expo, and other groups on smoke-free air. She is credited with playing an instrumental role in Indiana’s first smoke-free casino.
Many concerned citizens turned out for Thursday’s panel on tobacco use. (Photo provided)
Nichols moderated a discussion with pre-med and pre-public health students from Trinity Free Clinic and the Hamilton County Health Department. The interns are publishing a white paper studying the Physical and Economic Impacts of Tobacco. They presented their findings to the Hamilton County Health Department at the beginning of July.
The panelists included:
- Allison Bullock, a Westfield graduate currently attending Purdue University. Bullock is a pre-med intern at Trinity Free Clinic. She focused her studies on the behavioral health impacts of tobacco.
- Jocelyn Grider, a Guerin Catholic graduate who attended University of Indianapolis and is currently seeking a master’s in public health. She focused on the public health consequences.
- Calina He is a pre-dental intern at Trinity Free Clinic. She graduated from Carmel High School and currently attends Indiana University. She looked at the oral health outcomes for smokers.
- Jim Ginder, from the Hamilton County Health Department will round out the group. He has over 25 years in public health education in Hamilton County.
About Breathe Easy Hamilton County
As an alliance working with local organizations and individuals within the Hamilton County community, Breathe Easy promotes tobacco-free living in order to reduce mortality and morbidity rates. Breathe Easy is working to ensure that all workers in Hamilton County are protected from secondhand smoke exposure. Breathe Easy believes everyone deserves the right to breathe smoke-free air at work and in public places. Learn more at breatheeasyhamiltoncounty.com.
Photo provided