Louisiana Youth Wins Vaping Prevention Contest Honors
Date: 10/11/21
Centene Institute Empowers Youth
Baton Rouge, La. (October 11, 2021) – With their continued commitment to empowering healthy behaviors, Louisiana Healthcare Connections congratulates Justelyn Rosette of Opelousas, who brought home an honorable mention award in the Centene Institute Youth Impact Award for Vaping Prevention.
Justelyn Rosette, sponsored by The Bullybox Passion Project, entered the national Centene Institute contest which provided a platform to “be the change” to help solve a national public health epidemic. The contest challenged students to make a peer-based, educational Public Service Announcement (PSA) video on the dangers of vaping.
“Vaping, much like bullying, impacts physical and mental health,” noted Shauna Sias of the Bullybox Passion Project. ”Any opportunity to steer kids toward more positive ways to deal with stress and express themselves, we are going to get behind those efforts, so we definitely wanted to sponsor Justelyn’s entry into the Centene Institute’s Vaping Prevention contest.”
"E-cigarette use has increased dramatically among middle and high school students,” said Stewart Gordon, chief medical officer for Louisiana Healthcare Connections. “According to the Louisiana Public Health Institute, nearly a third of Louisiana students admitted to using e-cigarettes in 2019, so we are very proud of the initiative by this Louisiana student to discourage vaping.”
The Centene Institute Youth Impact Award for Vaping Prevention is a national curriculum and contest for adolescents ages 14 through 19 to raise awareness about vaping, e-cigarette use and prevention. Winning a national recognition award and $500 for her charity, Justelyn’s entry, entitled “Vape Prevention: Encouraging Peers to Steer from Vaping.” can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/W75vmXbLqpk
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About Louisiana Healthcare Connections
A Medicaid managed care organization, Louisiana Healthcare Connections was established in 2011 to provide the best benefits and programs possible in order to improve the overall health of the families and communities we serve. Today, we are a healthcare company focused on identifying and removing institutional barriers to good health with sustainable solutions that reduce health disparities and create health equity. Through a family of engaged employees, dedicated providers and diverse community partners, we deliver care for the health of all. For more information, visit www.louisianahealthconnect.com.