SUPPORT LA

Overview

In 2024, with support from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, the Supporting Pregnant People with Opioid Use Disorder in Louisiana (SUPPORT LA) project was launched by LPHI to coordinate efforts, identify opportunities, and elevate “bright spots” related to providing services and care to pregnant people with OUD across the state.

Support LA News and Highlights

News and Highlights

Fostering Bipartisan Support for Paid Parental Leave for Louisiana's Public School Teachers

REACHnet welcomes Sutter Health: Expanding patient populations and data-driven research possibilities

LPHI’s REACHnet team is excited to welcome Sutter Health as the newest partner in REACHnet, officially joining our Clinical Research Network as a PCORnet® Network Partner in 2025.

New Vaping Ordinance in Baton Rouge Protects Louisiana’s Youth

The East Baton Rouge Metro Council has approved its first local ordinance regulating vape and tobacco retailers to build stronger protections against youth vaping beyond the existing state permits and licenses.

Addressing Vaping in Northeast Louisiana Schools

The Ouachita Citizen recently spoke with TFL Regional Manager Jennifer Haneline about increases in vaping in middle and high school students

TFL Team Honors Service, Promotes Health

The TFL team partnered with 30+ community organizations and the Alexandria Veterans Center to provide education and resources during their annual Service Members, Veterans, and Families resource event.

LPHI Named as Finalists for $50 Million Challenge to Support a Safer, More Resilient, and Sustainable Future for the Gulf Coast Region

Advancing Research with Upgraded Common Data Model

Support LA Thought Leadership and Resources

Thought Leadership and Resources

The Disappearance of Food Security and Nutrition Health Data: What the Loss Means for Public Health

This report highlights food insecurity as a persistent and growing public health issue in the United States, affecting nearly 48 million people. With 13.7% of households experiencing food insecurity in 2024, many families face serious challenges, including skipping meals or going an entire day without eating. The report outlines the significant physical and mental health impacts linked to food insecurity, particularly among children, and emphasizes the disproportionate burden in Southern states like Louisiana, where rates remain among the highest in the nation.

Doula and Birthing Care Coordination

This report provides evidence, best practices, and practical strategies for integrating doulas into maternal care, highlighting their role in improving birth outcomes, supporting families throughout the prenatal, birth, and postpartum periods, and advancing equitable maternal health in Louisiana.

Attributes of a Doula-Friendly Hospital

This resource outlines key attributes of a doula-friendly hospital, highlighting practices, policies, and partnerships that support doulas as integral members of the care team and enhance the birthing experience for clients.

Why Paid Family Leave Is an Imperative for a Healthy and Economically Successful Louisiana

Shelina Davis, MPH, MSW, CEO of the Louisiana Public Health Institute, emphasizes that paid family leave is a critical support for healthier families, stronger schools, and more resilient communities, highlighting that when parents and educators can care for loved ones without sacrificing income, both individual and statewide health and workforce outcomes improve.

Nic and Cancer: What We Know about Vaping and Cancer Risk

This resource outlines what is currently known about the potential connection between vaping and cancer risk, emphasizing that e-cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that can damage DNA and contribute to serious health issues. While long-term research is still ongoing, existing evidence suggests vaping may increase the likelihood of developing conditions linked to cancer. The resource also highlights the need for continued research, along with strong prevention and cessation efforts to protect public health—especially among youth.

Turning Vision into Impact: Power Skills for Effective Public Health Practice

This resource highlights that public health impact requires more than knowledge and depends on essential “power skills” that turn ideas into action. It focuses on communication, systems thinking, collaboration, strategic use of data, and policy engagement as key to navigating complexity and driving meaningful change. By strengthening these skills, public health practitioners can build stronger partnerships, improve decision making, and create lasting, equitable outcomes for communities.

The Disappearance of Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS): What the Loss of Maternal Health Data Means for Public Health

This report explores the critical loss of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and how the disappearance of this federal data infrastructure threatens our ability to track maternal and infant health trends. It highlights the disproportionate impact on Gulf South states. The brief introduces the Louisiana Maternal & Infant Data Collaborative as an innovative, localized solution to help fill these emerging data gaps and maintain public health accountability.