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From the Clinic to the Community: A Conversation with Dr. Hilary Seligman on Food Is Medicine

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living celebrate the retirements of Steven Kelder, PhD, MPH, and Anna V. Wilkinson, PhD, whose careers have advanced research, education, and prevention efforts to improve the health of children, adolescents, and young adults. Through decades of scholarship, collaboration, mentorship, and service, Drs. Kelder and Wilkinson have helped strengthen the evidence base for public health while preparing the next generation of researchers and practitioners.
Topic(s): Family and Child Health Nutrition Food Access News Health Policy
Content Type: Blog
Healthy Summer Challenge

Each month this summer, the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living has been focusing on ways to stay healthy while school is out.
Topic(s): Physical Activity
Content Type: Blog
Children's Outdoor Play: Staying Safe in Extreme Heat

Outdoor playtime is important for your child every day, but when temperatures are extreme, it is critical to adapt to keep your child safe. Children are more vulnerable to extreme heat than adults.
Topic(s): Physical Activity Heat Safety
Content Type: Blog
Can 10 Minutes Reduce Symptoms of Depression? A New Study Says Yes.

Many people would assume that reducing symptoms of depression requires weeks of therapy, months of medication, or both. But what if a well-designed 10-minute program could make a real difference? A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour suggests it can—and it features research from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living UTHealth Houston School of Public Health faculty from the Austin Location.
Topic(s): Family and Child Health
Content Type: Blog
Celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month

A Conversation with Mirella Jabbour on Public Health, Healthy Dental Habits, and Protecting Young Smiles February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of establishing healthy dental habits early in life. To mark the occasion, we spoke with Mirella Jabbour, DDS, MPH, Research Coordinator here at the Dell Center, about her journey into public health, the connection between oral health and overall well-being, and what families can do to support children’s oral health.
Topic(s): Family and Child Health Community Development
Content Type: Blog
Community Partnerships Research and Practice Corner

Travis County Physical Activity Landscape Assessment (completed: October 2024): This was a 1-year, rapid community assessment of physical activity based in a mixed methods approach that includes secondary analysis of existing data, key informant interviews, and a scoping review of community assessments from the past 10 years that have had some focus on physical activity.
Topic(s): Community Development
Content Type: Blog
Healthy Plates, Healthy Patients: Dr. Jaclyn Albin puts food at center of care

Jaclyn Albin, MD, CCMS, DipABLM will deliver the 10th Annual Nader Legacy of Health Lectureship on September 23, 2025, at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.
Topic(s): Austin Family and Child Health Nutrition Community Development
Content Type: Blog
Preventive colonoscopy saved my life – it could save yours too!

Did you know that you can prevent or reduce your risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC)? In honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Kat Sisler (UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin alumna, Never Too Young Taskforce member, and cancer survivor) shared the value of preventive screenings.
Topic(s): Austin Nutrition
Content Type: Blog
What to know about early-onset colorectal cancer and screening

Did you know you can prevent or reduce your risk for colorectal cancer (CRC)? In honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Kat Sisler (UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin alumna, Never Too Young Taskforce member, and cancer survivor) wrote to share the value of preventive screenings.
Topic(s): Austin Nutrition
Content Type: Blog
Leveraging out-of-school time to promote healthy movement behaviors for children and adolescents

What are students doing when school lets out for the day, on weekends, and during holiday and summer breaks?
Topic(s): Austin Physical Activity
Content Type: Blog
Can training attention improve students’ emotional well-being?

A recent study tested this question with a digital intervention called Finding Focus. High school students completed a series of short, interactive lessons and exercises designed to help them train their attention and use it to more skillfully navigate thoughts and emotions.
Topic(s): School-based Health Programs
Content Type: Blog
Warm up with these 3 fun winter recipes!

As winter sets in and the holidays near, the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living has recipes to help you enjoy a holiday season that is both healthy and flavorful!
Topic(s): Nutrition Nourish
Content Type: Blog
3 Thanksgiving classics with a nutritious twist

We know Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and, of course, great food. To support your holiday wellness, check out these three recipes developed by the Nourish Program that bring together traditional Thanksgiving flavors with a nutritious twist!
Topic(s): Nutrition Nourish
Content Type: Blog
Dr. Steven Kelder offers recommendations to reduce youth vaping

Youth vaping and e-cigarette use is an epidemic in the United States. While the number has declined since 2019, Dr. Steven Kelder, epidemiology professor at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin and founding member of CATCH Global Foundation, said there are data driven resources available to help further curb use among young people.
Topic(s): Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse E-cigarettes
Content Type: Blog
Resource guide: Child health research

October is National Children's Health Month, an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting and improving the health of all children under the age of 18. The Center is committed to advancing child health through research, education, and community engagement. We hope you will join us in supporting children’s health by sharing the research resources below! 
Topic(s): Family and Child Health Nutrition Physical Activity School-based Health Programs
Content Type: Blog
Resource guide: Substance use prevention research

October is National Substance Use Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of preventing substance use and promoting healthier communities. At the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, our experts study tobacco and alcohol abuse prevention, and work to reduce unhealthy and addictive behaviors through education, policy change and research.
Topic(s): Family and Child Health Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse School-based Health Programs
Content Type: Blog
‘Food is joy’: Dr. Kofi Essel’s innovative approach to family wellness

As healthcare continues to evolve, Dr. Kofi Essel stands at the forefront of a transformative perspective that defines food as medicine. A pediatrician by training, Essel brings a unique, family-centered approach to his work addressing food insecurity and improving health outcomes.
Topic(s): Austin Nutrition Food Access
Content Type: Blog
Q&A: Former Dean and longtime Austin employees reflect on the location’s journey

Through the eyes of longtime friends and employees, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin has traced the journey from its modest beginnings to its current state-of-the-art facility. These personal accounts highlight successes and challenges, milestones, and the evolving vision that has shaped this vital public health institution in Central Texas.
Topic(s): Austin
Content Type: Blog
Resource Guide: Child Obesity Research

Improving child health is a cornerstone of the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living's mission, and we invite you to explore the Center's valuable resources focused on improving child and adolescent obesity throughout Texas, the US, and beyond.
Topic(s): Nutrition SPAN Survey Physical Activity School-based Health Programs CATCH Health Policy
Content Type: Blog
Q&A: Regional Dean Deanna Hoelscher details the Austin location’s new space!

Students, staff, and faculty at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin and the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living are preparing for a new chapter in a new location three blocks north of the Texas Capitol. Dr. Deanna Hoelscher, Center director and regional dean, spoke about what this move means and what to expect from the new space.
Topic(s):
Content Type: Blog
Meet Dr. Michael Mrazek, our Newest Center Faculty Member!

Dr. Michael Mrazek joined UTHealth School of Public Health in Austin in June. His research, primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Education, leverages emerging technologies to improve the attention span and mental health of adolescents.
Topic(s): School-based Health Programs Health Policy
Content Type: Blog
Understanding Preeclampsia: A Guide for Preeclampsia Awareness Month

TCHMB developed Understanding Preeclampsia: A Guide for Preeclampsia Awareness Month to support improved care and outcomes for preeclampsia patients in Texas.
Topic(s):
Content Type: Blog
Student Spotlight: Emily Torres, MPH

Emily Torres, a graduate assistant at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living since October 2022, is looking forward to receiving her Master of Public Health from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin!  As graduation is a time for academic reflection, Torres — an El Paso native — answered several questions about her experiences at the Austin location and what drew her to a career in public health policy. 
Topic(s): Health Policy
Content Type: Blog
Resource Guide: Mental Health Research

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out some of the Center’s work related to mental health.
Topic(s):
Content Type: Blog
Resource Guide: Physical Fitness and Activity Research

This May, celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month by learning how to incorporate movement into your daily life!
Topic(s): Physical Activity
Content Type: Blog
Celebrating the 10-Year Anniversary of CATCH Global Foundation: A Research & Resource Round-Up

Join us in celebrating CATCH Global Foundation’s 10-year anniversary by learning more about its resources and the research from Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living investigators that provides the evidence base for this work.
Topic(s): Nutrition Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse CATCH Healthy Smiles Physical Activity E-cigarettes School-based Health Programs CATCH CATCH My Breath Health Policy Obesity
Content Type: Blog
2024 public health research and resources

The first full week of April marks National Public Health Week, during which public health contributions and issues are highlighted. Celebrate this week, in part, by learning more about many of the Center’s public health efforts and research projects.
Topic(s): Nutrition Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse Health Policy
Content Type: Blog
5 tips and tricks for making meals more nutritious

March is National Nutrition Month, making it the perfect time to change things up in the kitchen. Here are some easy tips and tricks to make your meals more nutritious!
Topic(s): Nutrition
Content Type: Blog
2024 nutrition research and resources

Celebrated in March, National Nutrition Month® promotes the development of healthy eating habits that help everyone make nutritious choices year-round. In celebration, we have compiled a list of our research and resources to encourage healthy food choices.
Topic(s): Nutrition School-based Health Programs Health Policy Obesity
Content Type: Blog
American Heart Month: Hearty Hot Sauce Competition

February is American Heart Month, a time when Americans are encouraged to focus on their heart health and learn more about how to protect against heart disease. If you’d like to try your hand at making your own healthy hot sauce, consider trying some of our staff-tested recipes at home!
Topic(s): Nutrition
Content Type: Blog
Heart Health with Dr. Augusto César Ferreira De Moraes

This Valentine’s Day, we talked with Dr. Augusto César Ferreira De Moraes about keeping your heart healthy! Dr. Ferreira De Moraes has broad interests in cardiovascular health research.
Topic(s): Health Policy
Content Type: Blog
New study shows inverse relationship between vitamin D and blood pressure in adolescents

Physical activity, especially when occurring outdoors, can increase the serum level of vitamin D while simultaneously helping to control blood pressure in adolescents, according to a new research study from a team that included the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.
Topic(s):
Content Type: Blog
Six manageable nutrition and physical activity resolutions — pick one!

The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living has assembled six achievable nutrition and physical activity resolutions for families and kids.
Topic(s): Nutrition Physical Activity
Content Type: Blog
New study shows link between pandemic-induced stress and suicidality among high school students

Pandemic-induced stress from job loss, food insecurity, abuse, and school issues were linked to an increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study from a team of researchers that included UTHealth Houston.
Topic(s): Reports
Content Type: Blog
Q&A with Shelby Flores-Thorpe, PhD

On October 26, Shelby Flores-Thorpe, PhD, MEd, CHES, successfully defended her dissertation: “Assessing Effective Communication Styles and Preferences Between Health Researchers and State Policymakers.” Shelby was a Center Dell Health Scholar and focused her student research on the Center’s Texas Research-to-Policy (RPC) Project. Read on to learn more about Shelby’s journey in public health.
Topic(s): Nutrition
Content Type: Blog
Tobacco prevention and cessation efforts at the Center

At the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, Drs. Steve Kelder, Melissa Blythe Harrell, and Emily T. Hébert, among other faculty members, engage in research and projects related to both tobacco prevention and cessation.
Topic(s): Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse E-cigarettes Health Policy
Content Type: Blog
Q&A: Dr. Cynthia Osborne, keynote speaker at the 2023 Philip R. Nader Legacy of Health Lectureship

Funded by the Nader Endowment, the Nader Lectureship features a speaker with extensive experience in researching early life cycle health systems. This year, the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living is proud to feature Dr. Cynthia Osborne as the keynote speaker for the 8th Annual 2023 Philip R. Nader Legacy of Health Lectureship.
Topic(s): Nutrition Health Policy
Content Type: Blog
6 tips for a safe Halloween

Before you put on your best costume and hit the streets for trick-or-treating, here are some tips to ensure everyone has a safe and healthy Halloween!
Topic(s): Nutrition Physical Activity
Content Type: Blog
Q&A: Nourish team on fall produce

We hope the crisp air is here to stay so we can enjoy our favorite fall foods outside. Read on for Nourish team members Dolores and Diana’s healthy seasonal food recommendations!
Topic(s): Nutrition
Content Type: Blog
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Diabetes in the Hispanic Community

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to recognize the rich cultural traditions and foods that are a part of the Hispanic community. These traditions and foods play a vital role in preserving and passing down the vibrant culture and values that define this community, bridging generations and fostering a sense of togetherness.
Topic(s): Nutrition Nourish Obesity
Content Type: Blog
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