Making a Difference: My Journey with YAHL and Health Advocacy in High School

by Brayden Duncan

Hey, everyone! I’m Brayden Duncan, and I’m about to start my Junior year at Howe High School. I’ve been involved in YAHL (Youth Action for Health Leadership) for about a year now, and it’s been awesome. YAHL has two campaigns: CounterAct Tobacco and Elevate Student Health.

Let’s dive into what CounterAct Tobacco is all about. This campaign focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of smoking and vaping, debunking myths that make these habits seem “cool” and advocating for policies that reduce tobacco use among youth. My first-ever YAHL event was our fall festival, and it was a blast! We collected tons of surveys for CounterAct Tobacco and educated people about the campaign. It was surprisingly easy and fun to get people to fill out the surveys, and some folks even asked more questions, which was awesome. Through collecting surveys, I learned just how important data is for updating state policies.

One of the best parts of CounterAct Tobacco is how we engage with the community. We host events where we talk to our peers about the real effects of tobacco and vaping and share personal stories. It’s eye-opening to see how many people don’t know the full risks, and it feels great to help them understand and make better choices. Plus, we work on pushing for stricter regulations on tobacco retail licensing.

Now, onto Elevate Student Health. This campaign is all about making our schools healthier places to be. We focus on three main areas: better food options, more opportunities for physical exercise and ensuring access to clean water.

Healthy food in schools is a big deal because what we eat affects how we learn and feel. We advocate for nutritious meals in the cafeteria, healthier snacks in vending machines and overall better food policies. This isn’t just about getting rid of junk food; it’s about giving everyone the chance to eat well and feel good.

Physical exercise is another key part. We push for more physical education classes and fun programs that get everyone moving. Exercise isn’t just for athletes—it’s crucial for everyone’s physical and mental health. We want to make it easy and fun for all students to stay active.

Let’s not forget clean water. It might seem obvious, but not all schools have easy access to fresh, clean drinking water. We educate students about the importance of staying hydrated and school administrators about the importance of having access to clean water.

Honestly, the main reason I joined YAHL is because I see so many younger kids vaping and thinking it’s the coolest thing ever. It’s not. I really want to make a difference and educate them about how dangerous vaping is. Being a part of YAHL has been a game-changer for me. I’ve picked up leadership skills like public speaking, networking and event hosting.

Next year, I’m excited to host even more events and spread the word about tobacco cessation, nutrition and physical activity in my community. I can’t wait to dive into next school year with YAHL and make an even bigger impact. Let’s do this!