Kudos to the Southwest Regional Advisory Board

Thanks to all of the Southwest Regional Advisory Board members that turned out for the RAB Recognition and Training Event in Staunton last week. You are all an important part of who we are and what we accomplish at VFHY! I'm joined here by board members (L to R): back row - Gina Wohlford, Lavern Davis, Debbie Flinn, Debbie Sams, Kathy Kenley, Rebecca Buchanan, Andy Muelenaer. Front row - Kim Brown and Billie Murray.

And The Black Lung Goes To...

You may be up to speed on who won the Golden Boy Statues for Best Picture and Best Actor/Actress last weekend but do you know which actors received the

HACKADEMY AWARDS?

Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails sponsors the
Hackademy Awards with Thumbs Up!/Thumbs Down! ratings for major motion pictures as well as for individual actors/actresses as a way to promote the impact of tobacco use

in films on pre-teens and young adults.

You may be surprised at some of the winners and losers!

http://www.sacbreathe.org/hacks.htm

This idea is something local youth advocates could easily replicate.

Check out http://www.scenesmoking.org/ for additional information.

Tobacco Harm Reduction News

Check out these recent articles (compliments of Bill Godshall, Smoke Free Pennsylvania) regarding electronic cigarettes and FDA regulation,

http://www.aaphp.org/special/joelstobac/2009/TobaccBill.htm

as well as Ariva - a new "modified risk tobacco product."

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105863&p=irol=

The world of tobacco products continues to change at an alarming rate. And the topic of harm reduction continues to spark controversy within the public health community.

Safe Routes to School Mini Grant Opportunity

The National Center for Safe Routes to School is now accepting applications for up to 35 $1,000 mini-grants for creative, youth-focused ideas that support safe walking and/or bicycling to school. Eligible activities must occur at an elementary or middle school in Fall 2010 and support the overall goal of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs — to enable and encourage children nationwide to safely walk and bicycle to school.

Check out their website for more information:

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/news_room/minigrants/index.cfm

Obesity Prevention Grant Opportunity

Calling those of you in far Southwest Virginia interested in obesity prevention initiatives!

The Mountain States Health Alliance has teamed up with the College of Public Health at East Tennesee State University to offer grants of up to

$2000 for community level obesity prevention efforts.

Click on over to their website if you are located in the Wythe-Grayson-Tazewell County areas and/or points West. Applications are due MARCH 15th! http://www.healappalachia.com/