News

Hoelscher appointed to serve on national committee to advise the development of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines

The Committee will be tasked with reviewing the current body of science on key nutrition topics and developing a scientific report that includes its independent assessment of the evidence and recommendations for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration as they develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (the Guidelines).

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Moving Toward Transportation Justice

Researchers from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living recently published a case study on the City of Austin’s process of dividing and prioritizing $27.5 million dollars for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) improvements from the 2016 Mobility Bond. To the authors’ knowledge, this was the largest amount of money allocated to SRTS improvements within one municipality to date. Council members chose to split the money equally across city council districts, so that improvements could be implemented across the city; however, data show that there might have been a better way to distribute the funds to more adequately address areas with greater need.

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TX SPAN Data Explorer

The population of Texas is a bellwether for the larger demographic shifts we have seen nationwide. Texas’ young, diverse population can tell us a lot about the health status of children in both the state and the nation, especially since one of every 10 children in the U.S. lives in Texas. The Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (Texas SPAN) is a statewide serial cross-sectional surveillance study that measures the health status of school-aged children by collecting state-representative data about their diets, activity levels, and other related behaviors.

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Creating and Maintaining Healthy Habits in 2023

Dolores Woods, RDN, spoke to Univision Houston Channel 45 about creating and maintaining healthy habits in 2023.

News (External)

School garden-based interventions can improve blood sugar, reduce bad cholesterol in children

School garden-based interventions can improve metabolic parameters such as blood sugar and cholesterol in children, according to a new study from Center faculty Dr. Adriana Perez.

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Reintroducing the Texas Research-to-Policy Collaboration

With the 2022 Texas general election completed and the legislators and legislators-elect beginning to file bills for the 88th Legislative Session, it is essential to have a data-driven, reputable source for public health policy. The Texas Research-to-Policy Collaboration Project (TX RPC) serves as a resource for legislative offices, advocates, and constituents interested in policies that make Texans healthier.

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Healthy options for holiday meals

Dolores Woods, MA, RDN, appeared on FOX 26 News to talk about healthy alternatives to popular holiday treats. The interview was shared online.

News (External)

Study finds link between patient satisfaction and likelihood of bariatric surgery

Patients who are satisfied with their physicians are more likely to follow through with metabolic or bariatric surgery (MBS) regardless of racial or ethnic group, according to a study led by Center faculty member Dr. Sarah Messiah.

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Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

As the holiday season gets into full swing, many of us are excited to spend some much-needed time with family and friends. Whether your holidays consist of gathering with the entire family or relaxing with a hard-earned vacation, we all want to enjoy happy and healthy celebrations. Here are some tips to make the holidays the most wonderful time of the year!

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Reflecting on our Language: Stakeholder

The Austin Campus Diversity & Inclusion Committee is committed to sharing best practices that foster an inclusive environment and encourage open and honest communication. This includes confronting the systems and policies that have perpetuated generational injustice and health inequities. One way to approach this is by addressing the language we use daily, both in our professional work as researchers and in our personal interactions outside of work. The words and phrases we use matter and shape the interactions we have within our communities and work spaces. For the first Reflecting On Our Language series, we explore the term stakeholder.

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A Conversation with Dr. Ethan Hunt

Dr. Ethan Hunt, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin, recently sat down for an interview during which he shared the experiences that helped shape his interests as a student and public health professional.

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Opciones para comer saludable en la cena de Acción de Gracias: sigue estas recomendaciones

El exceso de comida, además de la cantidad de grasa y azúcar, entre otras sustancias utilizadas en la cena de Acción de Gracias, puede generar malestar y problemas de salud. La nutricionista Diana Guevara habla sobre las formas de disfrutar con los seres queridos sin necesidad de abusar de los alimentos. Esto es lo que debes saber.

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Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes from Nourish Cookbook

Dolores Woods, MA, RDN, spoke to FOX 26 News about healthy Thanksgiving recipes. Yahoo! News also ran the story.

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Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Their Significance and Impact

With the fall semester well under way, the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living (the Center) would like to take time to celebrate and acknowledge the tremendous impact and significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The contributions made by HBCUs across the country, specifically in Texas, are immeasurable in terms of education and economy.

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4 Tricks to Enjoy Your Treats

With Halloween right around the corner, many people are looking forward to having a traditional evening of trick-or-treating with friends and neighbors, while others are planning to have a quieter at-home celebration. Regardless of how you plan to spend your Halloween, the ultimate goal is to have a safe, fun holiday that does not involve a sugar hangover!

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Getting to Know Center Faculty: Dr. Dale Mantey

Dr. Mantey began his work at UTHealth School of Public Health in Austin as a postdoctoral fellow and is now an Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences in the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at the School of Public Health Austin Campus. His work centers around the health of adolescents, more specifically, the prevention of youth substance (tobacco and cannabis) use and abuse.

News (External)

Substantial proportion of ethnically diverse children from low-resource backgrounds report long-term COVID-19 complications

Research from Dr. Sarah Messiah, published Monday in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that pediatric patients with private health insurance were 66% less likely to report long COVID symptoms versus those with government insurance.

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Hispanic Heritage Month: Discussing Hispanic vs. Latino vs. Latinx

As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) through October 15, it is worth taking some time to discuss the language and demographic categories public health professionals use in their research. In this case, these terms include Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latine, and Latinx.

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Deep-rooted child obesity issue in Texas and Waco area offers no quick fixes

Deanna Hoelscher, PhD, RD, was interviewed by the Waco Tribune-Herald about the prevalence of childhood obesity in Texas.

News (External)

Houston mother, 6-year-old son, battle long COVID

A study led by Sarah Messiah, PhD, MPH, which showed some children suffer from long COVID, was mentioned in a Texas Standard segment.