Health in the 406

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol is the most frequently used substance among Montana high school students, with nearly one in three (29%) 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students reporting current alcohol use in 2020.
The most common sources where alcohol was obtained were from someone they knew who was 21 years old or older (22%), from home with permission (14%), and from someone they knew under the age of 21 (13%).
Most parents in Montana (91%) disapprove of high school students drinking alcohol. Learn more about improving communication and relationships with children, healthy risk taking, discipline, and alcohol and its impact on the teenage brain at ParentingMontana.org.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV), besides being the most common sexually transmitted infection, can also infect cells in the mouth and throat; HPV causes an estimated 70% of oropharyngeal (back of the throat) cancers.
From 2013 to 2017, 750 new cases of HPV-associated cancers were diagnosed in Montana; among men, oropharyngeal cancer was the most common HPV-associated cancer diagnosed.
HPV vaccine provides protection against HPV including the types that cause oropharyngeal cancer; learn why both boys and girls should receive the HPV vaccine.

In Montana, nearly 25% of children live in homes that experience limited access to nutritious food – an issue related to economic insecurity, food distribution challenges, and stigma in our state.
The good news is that Montanans have the power to end hunger by working together on solutions at both the state and community level.
Join the cause to end child hunger in Montana by wearing orange in a social media photo on April 7th, 2021 for the annual statewide Wear Orange Wednesday event and share with #WearOrangeWednesday.

The Montana public health system helps keep Montana residents safe, healthy and enjoying their best quality of life through many programs, services, and reliable health information.
This past year the COVID-19 pandemic challenged all of us. However, the public health systems in place helped Montanans endure by providing timely and accurate information, COVID testing, and vaccination, and other public health services.
The week of April 5-11 is National Public Health Week. Join us in thanking Montana’s dedicated tribal and local public health workers for their passion and selfless commitment to keeping our communities healthy and safe.

In 2019, over 4,000 emergency department visits related to traumatic brain injuries occurred in Montana; most caused by falls and transportation incidents.
Even though everyone is at risk for brain injuries, children and older adults are especially vulnerable. Even mild brain injuries, if repeated over time, can cause significant changes in brain function.
Learn more about what you can do to prevent falls and how to improve transportation safety. Montanans affected by traumatic brain injury can seek resources and services through the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana.

March 22-28 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week; learn how you can shatter myths about drugs and drug use in your community.
In 2020, 1 in 8 Montana middle and high school students reported showing up to class while drunk or high and 1 in 6 reported being offered drugs on school property (choose 2020 Montana Reports/01. State Data/State of Montana Crosstaby by Scale.pdf).
Throughout Montana, Prevention Specialists are working with their communities to reduce drug and alcohol abuse among youth. Learn how to get involved in substance use prevention in your community.