TSET Releases FY 2024 Annual Report Highlighting Oklahoma’s "Road to Health"
OKLAHOMA CITY – For 25 years, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has invested in programs that reduce risks for cancer and cardiovascular disease—the leading causes of preventable death in Oklahoma. Established by voters in 2000, TSET funds initiatives that help Oklahomans quit tobacco, improve nutrition, increase physical activity, expand health care access and advance life-saving research.
TSET has released its FY24 Annual Report, highlighting the impact of its evidence-based investments and partnerships across Oklahoma.
"For 25 years, TSET has funded bold, research-driven solutions to prevent disease and improve well-being," said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. "This annual report showcases the impact of our investments and our ongoing commitment to shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans."
Reducing Tobacco Use and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Seeing more than 600,000 registrations since 2003, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline continues to provide free, evidence-based quitting services. As a result, the state’s adult smoking rate has dropped from 28.6% in 2001 to an all-time low of 15.8% today.
To prevent future tobacco use, Tobacco Stops With Me educates Oklahomans about the dangers of tobacco and secondhand smoke while working toward policies that protect children and families. The TSET Healthy Youth Initiative empowers young people with tools to avoid tobacco, make informed nutrition and fitness choices, and build healthier habits for life.
Encouraging better nutrition and increased physical activity is also critical to reducing preventable diseases. Shape Your Future, another TSET program, provides resources to help families, schools and communities adopt healthier eating habits and stay active.
Expanding Health Care, Research, and Community Investments
TSET funds programs that expand access to health care and advance medical research. The Physician Loan Repayment Program has placed more than 100 doctors, partially funded by TSET, in rural communities, resulting in over 665,000 patient visits. To further support rural providers, TSET also helps fund, Project ECHO a program that connects doctors in underserved areas with specialists for virtual mentoring and training.
TSET also supports cutting-edge medical research. Since its creation, TSET research investments attracted nearly $757 million in additional funding to advance cancer treatments, adult stem cell research, and other critical health initiatives.
To make communities healthier, TSET provides grants that improve infrastructure and promote active living. In FY24, $927,000 was awarded in TSET Healthy Incentive Grants to schools and municipalities for health-focused programs. Meanwhile, TSET Built Environment Grants and TSET Discovery Grants have funded walking trails, wellness centers and community spaces that encourage physical activity.
A Legacy of Impact and a Healthier Future
As TSET marks a quarter century of investment in Oklahoma’s health, the agency continues to explore new opportunities to drive lasting change. By funding emerging research, expanding community partnerships and strengthening prevention efforts, TSET remains focused on helping Oklahomans lead longer, healthier lives.
For more information about TSET, visit oklahoma.gov/tset.
###
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research and working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. To learn more, go to Oklahoma.gov/TSET.
TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health