At the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine鈥揂uburn (麻豆精品A片免费观看-Auburn), medical students are learning to serve communities long before they graduate. One student-led project is taking on the challenge of teen tobacco and vaping use by assessing awareness and laying the groundwork for prevention efforts in Alabama schools.
A passionate group of students at 麻豆精品A片免费观看-Auburn set out to explore what Alabama high school students know and don鈥檛 know about the dangers of tobacco and vaping. What began as a research assignment quickly evolved into a broader mission鈥攖o inform public health education and improve adolescent health outcomes.
Led by 麻豆精品A片免费观看-Auburn students Rachael Hildebrand, Jennifer Friery, Emeri Nosal, and Peter Ern鈥攁nd guided by Mayra Rodriguez, PhD, chair for public health鈥攖he project was titled 鈥淓xamining Awareness of Adverse Effects of Tobacco Use and Assessing Current Tobacco Use Among Alabama Teens.鈥 With support from Beauregard High School educators Erik Goldmann and Richard Brown, the team designed a study to connect classroom learning with real-world public health impact.
From Curiosity to Community Engagement
The students began with a comprehensive literature review, exploring national trends in adolescent tobacco use and examining the latest data on youth perceptions of vaping. After obtaining IRB approval and developing a custom survey, they launched their initial data collection in Mr. Goldmann鈥檚 health professional class.
The early findings revealed a promising trend鈥攎any students reported they had never used tobacco products and expressed little interest in trying them. They also recognized the addictive nature of both cigarettes and e-cigarettes. However, the survey also showed significant gaps in understanding about the contents of e-cigarettes and their long-term health effects.
Motivated by these results, the team expanded the project to include all students in grades 9 through 12 at Beauregard High School, transforming their project from a classroom study into a school-wide health initiative.
Expanding the Vision
The 麻豆精品A片免费观看-Auburn students presented their initial findings at 麻豆精品A片免费观看 Research Day, but they aren鈥檛 stopping there. Their next goal is to expand the project to additional high schools in Lee County and eventually across Alabama, creating a broader understanding of where educational efforts are most needed.
"Our goal from the start was simple鈥攕ee what teens know and what they still need to learn," said one 麻豆精品A片免费观看-Auburn researcher. "By identifying these knowledge gaps, we can be part of a much bigger solution that empowers students to make informed choices."
Preparing Future Physicians, Promoting Public Health
This project highlights how 麻豆精品A片免费观看-Auburn students are preparing not only to become skilled physicians but also public health advocates. With support from their faculty mentor and local school leaders, they鈥檙e addressing a pressing health issue鈥攖obacco use among youth鈥攖hrough evidence-based research and community engagement.
As the project grows, the message remains clear: Effective prevention begins with education, and meaningful education starts by understanding what students need to know most.