Blog

July Healthy Summer Challenge

This Summer, the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living challenges you to complete fun activities with your kids to build healthy habits while school is out. Each month we’re focusing on a new set of challenges, and July’s focus is on physical activity.

Blog

Association of masking policies with mask adherence and distancing during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic

Dr. Deanna Hoelscher, Raja Malkani, and Kathleen Manuel from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living collaborated on the Systematic Observation of Mask Adherence and Distancing (SOMAD) Project. Using the SOMAD protocol created by Kaiser Permanente, Studio Ludio, San Diego State University (ret), and RAND Corp, 16 faculty members and their students across the United States observed individuals in public spaces to determine the quantification of the impact of local masking policies to the SARS-COV-2 pandemic.

News (External)

Cities may need to be redesigned for extreme heat

Publication "Climate change and physical activity: ambient temperature and urban trail use in Texas" was featured in news article.

News

June Healthy Summer Challenge Recipe

Today, for National Eat Your Veggies Day, we’re sharing a recipe from the “How Good Food Works from Seed to Plate” cookbook, authored by our very own Center faculty. This delicious kale and apple salad is perfect for hot days and getting those veggies in!

News (External)

It’s Hot Outside — And That’s Bad News for Children’s Health

Center faculty member Dr. Kevin Lanza was quoted in Kaiser Health News' about his project, Green Schoolyards Project, and the impact of climate change on children's health.

News

Get to Know Center Faculty: Dr. Andrew Springer

Dr. Andrew Springer is an associate professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the UTHealth School of Public Health in Austin and a member of the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living. He has over 20 years of experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating child and adolescent health promotion programs. His research focuses on child and adolescent health promotion with a specific interest in social-ecological influences on health behavior in young people and participatory community health planning and evaluation methods.

News (External)

Fact check: No convincing proof that apple cider vinegar helps with weight loss

Dr. Wesley McWhorter, Director of Culinary Nutrition for the Nourish Program, was quoted in USA Today Fact Check about apple cider vinegar.

Blog

June Healthy Summer Challenge

Summer break is finally here! We know that without the structure of school, it can be hard to keep healthy routines in place. Kids often spend more time in front of the screen, become less active, and choose unhealthy snacks throughout the day. Each month this summer, we’re advocating for creating healthier habits with our Healthy Summer Challenge calendars.

Blog

Get to Know Center Post-Doctoral Fellow: Dr. Leigh Ann Ganzar

Dr. Leigh Ann Ganzar is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the STREETS project at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, part of the UTHealth School of Public Health. The STREETS (Safe TRavel Environment Evaluation in Texas Schools) project evaluates the effect of the City of Austin Safe Routes to School infrastructure program on the physical activity of elementary school students.

News (External)

COVID-19 Antibodies Can Last Up to 500 Days After Infection

UTHealth reported that adults infected with COVID-19 develop circulating antibodies that last for nearly 500 days, according to a new study led by Center faculty members Drs. Kelder, Kohl, and Messiah.

News (External)

Easy Flexible Access to Produce and Resources Leads to Boost in Healthy Eating for Central Texas Kids

These new findings from Dell Med's Factor Health and Center Director Deanna Hoelscher, suggest that providing caregivers with easy access to produce and flexible resources can lead to quick — and lasting — results.

News (External)

“How Good Food Works from Seed to Plate,” Earns Distinction with Multiple Awards

“How Good Food Works from Seed to Plate,” showcasing UTHealth School of Public Health’s Nourish Program, earns distinction with multiple awards.

News (External)

UTHealth School of Public Health Austin Campus Dean Authors Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Position Paper

Deanna Hoelscher, PhD, regional dean of the UTHealth School of Public Health Austin Campus, served as the lead author on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ position paper on the prevention of pediatric overweight and obesity, published in February 2022.

Blog

Get to Know Center Faculty: Dr. Marcia Otto

Interviewing faculty can be a great way to get to know more about them! Learning more about faculty research and interests can be helpful to students forming their own interests and career goals. Dr. Marcia Otto is an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences.

News (External)

Garden-to-Table Growing what you eat

Laura S. Moore, MEd, RD was featured in the Buzz Magazine

News (External)

Gorgeous new Texas Med Center cookbook offers nourishing recipes

Laura S. Moore, MEd, RD, talked to the Houston Chronicle about the cookbook she and J. Wesley McWhorter, DrPH, RD, co-wrote as part of the Nourish Program at UTHealth School of Public Health.

Blog

Publication Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Policies to Improve Geographic and Economic Access to Vegetables among Low-Income, Predominantly Latino Urban Residents: An Agent-Based Model

The publication “Exploring the Impact of Policies to Improve Geographic and Economic Access to Vegetables among Low-Income, Predominantly Latino Urban Residents: An Agent-Based Model” developed an agent-based model to simulate the food environment of Austin, Texas, USA, and tested the impact of different food access policies on vegetable consumption among low-income, predominantly Latino residents. The development of this agent-based model was led by former Center Faculty Member Dr. Deborah Salvo and Dr. Pablo Lemoine and contributed to by Center Faculty Drs. Alexandra van den Berg and Nalini Ranjit, post-doctoral fellow Dr. Katie Janda, and Center staff member Aida Nielsen.

News (External)

Shreela Sharma, PhD, RDN, was quoted in a Houston Chronicle column about factors contributing to food insecurity in the city

Shreela Sharma, PhD, RDN, was quoted in a Houston Chronicle column about factors contributing to food insecurity in the city.

Blog

Interview with Dr. Edward Maibach

This year for the Michael & Susan Dell Center Lectureship in Child Health, we are very excited to introduce our keynote speaker, Dr. Edward Maibach. His extensive career as a public health professional has created significant changes in promoting public engagement about climate change.

Blog

National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to celebrate food and learn about healthful eating and physical activity habits. The theme this year is “Celebrate a world of flavors.” The theme emphasizes that all cultures have a place at the table.