April 15, 2025
The Community Health Corner
Submitted by Stephanie Gutierrez
The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends using community development strategies and health literacy programs for everyone’s health. From urban, metro, suburban, rural and frontier locations, Extension works in partnership with communities to deliver meaningful and relevant programs and initiatives to keep health closer to home. The following resources help us improve well-being for all, and achieve Healthy People 2030 objectives
Supreme Court Backs FDA Ban on Flavored Vapes: In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the FDA’s authority to block the sale of flavored e-cigarettes that appeal to youth—such as candy, fruit, and dessert flavors. The ruling supports the FDA’s efforts to regulate products that have contributed to the youth nicotine addiction crisis, with over 1.6 million children currently using e-cigarettes—many of which are illegal, flavored varieties. Public health advocates are calling this a major victory in the effort to reduce youth exposure to harmful tobacco products. Read the full story via ABC News: Unanimous Supreme Court upholds FDA block of flavored vapes
Age Friendly Public Health Systems Training: The next TFAH Age-Friendly Public Health Systems training will take place on April 17th, and highlight the role the public health system plays in keep older adults and those with disabilities safe in emergencies. The training will feature an overview of the new TFAH report Ready or Not 2025: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism.
Addressing Social Drivers of Health in Rural Communities: A recent NIH study confirms what many community health practitioners already know—social drivers like housing, food access, and education significantly influence health, especially in rural areas. Fortunately, many of these challenges can be addressed through local partnerships and intentional screening. Resources like the Hunger Vital Sign, PRAPARE, and FindHelp.org can help identify unmet needs, while tools from the American Heart Association, including their Food Insecurity Resources, offer actionable ways to respond. Building or strengthening a “screen and refer” process in your community could be a powerful step toward supporting long-term health and chronic disease prevention.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu