Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research
Profile
Natalia Heredia, PhD
Assistant Professor
[email protected]
Department
Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) School of Public Health
Research Interests
Physical Activity and Nutrition
Health Education/Behavioral Sciences
Health Equity
Community Health Practice
Cardiovascular and Chronic Diseases
Cancer
Biography
Dr. Natalia Heredia received a BA in both Psychology and Policy Studies from Rice University, an MPH in Health Promotion from Columbia University and a PhD in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. She was a predoctoral fellow on a National Cancer Institute R25 training grant and a postdoctoral fellow on a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas training grant. Her research focuses on the promotion of physical activity and healthy diets in Hispanic/Latino adults and families. Dr. Heredia’s research seeks to identify psychosocial and environmental determinants of physical activity and diet using mixed methods, and then use this body of work to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions to improve lifestyle behaviors, especially in Hispanic/Latino adults and other minority populations. Dr. Heredia’s current Prevent Cancer Foundation grant focuses on developing and delivering a behavioral lifestyle intervention for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Hispanic/Latino adults to prevent liver cancer and other adverse outcomes.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (713) 500-9600
Current Projects
Diabetes Prevention and Control Grant Program
The purpose of this project is to decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes among adults with prediabetes and improve self-care practices, quality of care, and early detection of complications among people with diabetes.
Healthy Liver/Higado Sano Study
The Healthy Liver/Hígado Sano Study will be pilot testing a behavioral lifestyle intervention for Hispanic/Latino adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Heart Disease Innovation Program
The purpose of this project is to help health systems improve their capacity to track and address hypertension and high cholesterol, particularly with respect to race, ethnicity, and language (REaL) data.
Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program
The purpose of this project is to enhance hypertension and high cholesterol prevention initiatives, improve EHR practices, and improve cardiovascular health in underserved communities.