Community Health Needs Assessment Committee challenges public to go Cold Turkey for the Great American Smokeout
Published Nov. 3, 2023
The North Central Kansas Medical Center along with the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) partners are challenging the public to go Cold Turkey on November 16th for the Great American Smokeout.
The CHNA committee has identified tobacco use as one of the largest health concerns in Cloud County and is eager to find solutions to minimize use. “The health benefits of quitting smoking happen immediately,” said Denise Baumann. “Within 20 minutes of your last cigarette, your heart rate and blood pressure drops. Within a few days, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and within 2 weeks to 3 months, your circulation improves and your lung function increases.”
CHNA is encouraging those who smoke, vape, or chew tobacco and nicotine products to pledge to go 24 hours without those products on November 16th. Pledges are available at the hospital, and online and can be turned in or emailed to the hospital on Friday, November 17 by 5pm. Pledges will also be sent home with students in the area elementary schools to help encourage family members to take the pledge. One pledge will be drawn on November 20th and the winner will receive a turkey.
Download the pledge here: