Contributing to Healthy Communities Research Abstracts UME - Clinical

Use of The Tar Wars Program to Improve Community Health

Session
Posters - F - Faculty Posters
Category
Contributing to Healthy Communities
Intended Audience Track
Undergraduate Medical Education - Clinical Education Faculty
Presentation Type
Research Abstracts
Authors

Presenting
Makayla L Merritt, PhD, WCUCOM
Carol A Morreale, PharmD, MPH, WCUCOM

Not presenting
Melissa R Stephens, MD, WCUCOM
 

Poster Rating
 | 

Abstract

The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) through a partnership with the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Foundation has been bringing Tar Wars to elementary schools in Mississippi since 2016. Tar Wars is a tobacco-free education program for fourth- and fifth-grade students designed to teach children about the short- and long-term health effects of tobacco and electronic cigarette use. Osteopathic medical students with faculty supervision teach the program to elementary students in local schools. During the school presentations, osteopathic medical students provide the children with tools to make positive decisions regarding their health as well as promote personal responsibility for their well being - including but not limited to being tobacco free.

Collapse