Kathleen Szegda and Tiffany Rufino to be panelists at upcoming BIRCh conference about advancing behavioral health

Vaping & Nicotine Pouches: Understanding the New Landscape Date: Friday, September 26, 2026 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm Join us for an informative webinar as we explore the evolving landscape of tobacco and nicotine use, with a special focus on vaping and nicotine pouches like Zyns. This session will offer a high-level overview of emerging products, usage trends, and potential mitigation strategies—especially relevant for youth, families, community-based organizations (CBOs), and municipalities. Featured Speakers: Dr. Nicole Porther, Chair of the Department of Health Professions, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Heather Warner, MPH, Hampshire Franklin Tobacco-Free Community Partnership Coordinator, Collaborative for Educational Services Moderator: Jessica Collins, Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western MA

Check out our new report, Rural Realities: Financial insecurity and health inequities in our rural communities—insights from the 2023 Community Health Equity Survey - Western MA and Statewide . We created this report as part of our work as a Regional Data to Action Provider for the Community Health Equity Initiative . Rural communities have unique needs. It is important to understand how inequities and challenges manifest in rural areas in our Western MA region to support action based on assets and unique needs.