Health Communication News

Contest Winners Discuss Tobacco Prevention Work

June 24, 2009
Over the past three years, youth have been engaged in The 84, a teen-focused anti-tobacco movement, to create messages promoting smoke-free living.

Anthony Price, the 2009 grand prize winner for his song "Live Life," and Yorling Valdez, second place winner of the most hip brand category for his song "Peligro," recently discussed their experience in the contest and tobacco prevention work with the Neighborhood Network News in Boston.



In Massachusetts, 84% of youth choose not to use tobacco.  The 84 is a program of Health Resources in Action (HRiA) that seeks to engage and educate Massachusetts teens and leverage their experiences to promote the tobacco-free lifestyle.

This year's Digital Media Contest asked young people to express themselves and their unique "brand," as well as to showcase their tobacco-free lifestyles. An expanded format for 2009 accepted videos, music, spoken word, illustration and animation entries. More than 100 youth statewide participated.

Entries were judged based on their creativity, originality, unique brand and message. The panel of judges included youth from different regions of Massachusetts and staff of both HRiA and The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Tobacco Control Program. Additionally, youth from all across the state were invited to vote for their favorite digital media entry online. All the winning entries are featured on The 84.

The 84 is funded by The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Tobacco Control Program.
Jodie Silverman Jodie Silverman, MPA
Director
617.279.2240 ext. 210

Bio
Jodie Silverman Jodie L. Silverman, MPA, is currently the Director of Health Communication Services at HRiA, overseeing the development and implementation of public health media and social marketing campaigns. Her expertise includes strategic and communications planning, media training and outreach, and communication program development.

Ms. Silverman has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit, public, and private sectors in the fields of communication, advocacy, and development. For 15 years, she worked in Washington, DC for a number of progressive U.S. Senators as well as for national nonprofit organizations promoting social justice through advocacy, public education, and communication including passage of the landmark Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. Ms. Silverman received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Middlebury College and her master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.

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