Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living

Walk Across Texas! – A Community-Based Physical Activity Promotion Program

Publication Date: 11/17/2021

Walk Across Texas!, a community-based physical activity promotion program, just turned 25 years old – and it’s still going strong.

CATCH Healthy Smiles - Let's Talk About Kids' Oral Health

Publication Date: 11/03/2021

Did you know that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease? In addition to causing serious discomfort, poor oral health in childhood can lead to disfigurement, infections, and impaired language development.

Resuming In-Person Physical Activity Safely: Updated COVID-19 Guidance and Practical Recommendations

Publication Date: 09/23/2021

As COVID-19 rates fall and vaccinations are being administered, many people are returning to in-person physical activity. This webinar reviewed the latest safety guidelines.

Health promotion interweaving: Designing health promotion interventions in context via youth voice and community partnerships

Publication Date: 07/20/2021

This webinar explored the design method of health promotion interweaving into settings and environments, defined as weaving or blending health promotion strategies, practices, programs, and policies to fit within and build from existing context.

Texas Cares: A COVID-19 antibody project. How bad is COVID-19 in Texas and how should schools respond?

Publication Date: 05/19/2021

As Texas schools close for the spring session, and prepare for summer and fall, experts at the UTHealth School of Public Health will provide information on a statewide COVID-19 antibody study called Texas Cares.

All You Want to Know About the Vaccines That Prevent COVID-19

Publication Date: 04/27/2021

We will discuss how the current vaccines are made, how they induce immunity, their side effects, their effectiveness, their distribution, why people should get vaccinated.

Breaking Down Silos: Collaborative Research to Inform City of Austin Food System Response During COVID-19

Publication Date: 04/06/2021

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, City of Austin's Office of Sustainability called upon partners to investigate the anticipated growing food needs and how these needs exist at the local level. Two Austin-based institutions stepped in to fill gaps in understanding utilizing their experience with existing data systems and methodology: UTHealth School of Public Health, and Dell Medical School.

From Data to Driving Systems Change for Health Equity in Texas: Findings from the Health Opportunity & Equity (HOPE) Initiative

Publication Date: 03/09/2021

In this session panelists reflected on the root causes of inequities in opportunity and health in Texas, and shared HOPE’s new approach and data to help chart a path forward for achieving racial and health equity.

The Future of Quitting: Emerging mHealth Strategies for Smoking Cessation

Publication Date: 02/23/2021

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. While most smokers want to quit, access and adherence to evidence-based cessation treatment is poor. Mobile technology has enormous potential to overcome many of the barriers that have hampered the use of empirically supported smoking cessation treatment.

Supporting Families in Crisis: A rapid assessment methodology to address needs in low-income houses during COVID-19

Publication Date: 12/04/2020

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Brighter Bites was unable to deliver its standard program to families due to school closures.

Book Launch: When Are We Going to Teach Health?

Publication Date: 11/10/2020

Come join us on book launch day of When Are We Going to Teach Health? for a special presentation and Q&A with the author, Duncan Van Dusen, Founder & CEO of CATCH Global Foundation.

Refreshing Public Health Practice: The Revised 10 Essential Services of Public Health

Publication Date: 10/27/2020

The original 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) framework was developed in 1994 by a federal working group. It serves as the description of the activities that public health systems should undertake in all communities.

Summer of Our Discontent: COVID-19 Still Rages

Publication Date: 08/20/2020

We will discuss the current state of the Pandemic, and the key factors associated with the surge in cases across the country.

A Rapid Response to Food Insecurity and Other Social Determinants of Health During COVID-19

Publication Date: 07/07/2020

The final webinar in our series "Our Food System and Food Insecurity During COVID-19: Stories from Across the State."

Value Chain Coordination for Improving Access to Healthy and Affordable Food in the Paso del Norte Region

Publication Date: 06/23/2020

Part three of five of our webinar series "Our Food System and Food Insecurity During COVID-19: Stories from Across the State.”

Food System Resiliency?

Publication Date: 06/09/2020

Part one of our new webinar series "Our Food System and Food Insecurity During COVID-19: Stories from Across the State.”

A Citizen’s Science Approach to Surveillance of COVID 19 Symptoms in Texas: A Call To Action

Publication Date: 04/23/2020

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the U.S., a new free research app called “COVID Symptom Tracker” is aiming to inform public health decision making to slow the spread of the disease by tracking symptoms of millions across the country. This presentation will focus on dissemination efforts to increase the app’s use in Texas, and how the aggregate data collected can be used by the state and local government and healthcare systems for strategic planning, resource allocation and outbreak management.

Contaminated Air: The Invisible Threat to Patients and Healthcare Workers

Publication Date: 04/07/2020

The air, the invisible threat, from the perspective of an environmental health practitioner. The role of sampling, temperature and humidity and mitigation strategies. Presented by: Linda D. Lee, DrPH, MBA Chief Medical Affairs and Science Officer, UV Angel

Using the SPAN Data Explorer and Texas Child Health Status Reports for Policy Impact

Publication Date: 12/17/2019

The Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) online data explorer provides representative data on child health by state or region. Texas SPAN is a surveillance system used to monitor the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-aged children as well as factors that underlie obesity, including dietary behaviors, nutrition knowledge and attitudes, and physical activity behaviors.

Fighting Obesity in the 2019 Legislative Session

Publication Date: 08/13/2019

Participants will learn about the ongoing advocacy of the Partnership for a Healthy Texas whose mission is to combat obesity in the state via policy change. Participants will learn about the PFHT legislative agenda, the history behind our legislative successes and barriers to further policy wins. Additionally, participants will learn how to engage in advocacy through the Partnership.

Speak Up! You CAN Make a Difference.

Publication Date: 03/28/2019

Have you wondered what your role should be in passing new laws? Do you feel like you cannot participate or are not sure exactly what or when you should do something?

Misconceptions About Obesity

Publication Date: 10/03/2018

We are bombarded about advice related to weight loss, but much of it is not based on evidence or is wrong! This webinar will engage audience members in a discussion about the evidence-base for obesity and weight loss information.

Recruitment and Engagement for School-Based Health Research: Perspectives from Administration, Teachers, and Parents

Publication Date: 07/18/2018

The purpose of this webinar is to present parent, teacher, school, and district perspectives and priorities regarding such research, including barriers and facilitators to participation.

E-cigarette Prevention: CATCH My Breath for Middle School and High School

Publication Date: 03/27/2018

Learn how teachers, parents, and health professionals in the school/after-school setting can equip students with answers about E-cigarettes.

Surprising Results of LunchBag's Efficacy Trial

Publication Date: 01/30/2018

The LunchBag intervention study has been one of the largest trials to examine this population. The results of LunchBag reveal what parents pack in their child’s lunches, what children eat, and how a theory-based intervention can make changes in parent packing behavior.

Brighter Bites: Evolution, Impact, and Expansion

Publication Date: 10/24/2017

Brighter Bites Co-Founder Dr. Shreela Sharma, Executive Director Samuel Newman, and Senior Program Director Mike Pomeroy as they discuss how Brighter Bites evolved from a small home-grown idea into an evidence-based public health program that impacts tens of thousands of families.

Implementation and Findings from the CORD Early Childhood Intervention

Publication Date: 10/12/2017

Webinar #2 of a 4-part series.

Dependable Instructional and Management Strategies for Un-dependable Children: Teaching Children Diagnosed With Neurological Based Behavior Problems, Part 2

Publication Date: 03/29/2016

This webinar will focus specifically on instructional and management strategies that address problems associated with teaching children with neurological challenges.

Ready to learn the “Nuts and Bolts” of becoming a Mother-Friendly worksite?

Publication Date: 11/09/2015

Please join us for a webinar on developing and implementing a mother-friendly policy in your workplace.

The MD Anderson and CATCH Partnership to Advance Youth Cancer Prevention

Publication Date: 04/27/2015

Learn more about MD Anderson's Cancer Prevention efforts, and how they and CATCH will collaborate to help keep children healthy.

CATCH at Blank Children's Hospital

Publication Date: 11/13/2014

Our guest this month was Julia Richards Krapfl of the Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. This webinar will review how CATCH was established in Central Iowa, expansion of the program, additional programming enhancing the CATCH curriculum, partnerships formed along the way, as well as lessons learned over the past six years.

Creating a Culture of Health in Your Community, featuring Dr Belinda Reininger

Publication Date: 09/24/2014

In this month's CATCH webinar we spoke with Dr. Belinda Reininger about the amazing work she and a team of collaborators are undertaking to transform the community of Brownsville, Texas.

CATCH Webinar: Active Play-Active Learning Project

Publication Date: 05/28/2014

This webinar discusses three strategies for increasing physical activity and active learning in and out of school settings.

2013 Texas Health Perception Survey Results

Publication Date: 03/12/2014

Eighty-three Texas legislators were surveyed to identify knowledge and perceptions about obesity prevention and control measures. Results from the 2013 Texas Health Perception Survey.

CATCHing Funding Dollars

Publication Date: 01/31/2014

Locating funding is usually the first step in any new endeavor and I am pleased to have our good friend and CATCH Team member Kathy Chichester as our special guest this month. Kathy will be providing the tips you need to include CATCH in your winning proposal.

Implementing CATCH Kids Club in Southern Nevada: CATCHified Collaboration in Action

Publication Date: 11/14/2013

Learn about the ongoing project of putting CATCH Kids Club in the after-school programs in Nevada.

Child Health in the 83rd Texas Legislature: A Recap

Publication Date: 06/19/2013

In this final installment of our "Child Health in the 83rd Texas Legislature" webinar series, we will examine the outcome of several bills and policies related to child health and their potential impact on the public health of Texans.

The False Choice Between Health and Education in Texas Schools

Publication Date: 04/11/2013

Student fitness is strongly related to academic performance, yet cash-strapped schools often feel stuck in the middle when it comes to choosing how to allocate limited resources: promote student health or focus solely on education?

Child health and the 83rd Texas Legislature: What to expect

Publication Date: 01/31/2013

In our inaugural webinar for the 83rd Texas Legislative session, we will examine policy issues related to child health likely to be considered in the coming months.

The 87th Legislative Session, Interim Opportunities, and Updates on the Fight Against Obesity

Publication Date: 11/04/2021

In this webinar, we will discuss the work of the Partnership, policy wins in the 87th legislative session, the work happening between legislative sessions, and what the landscape looks like for future efforts.

Texas Coronavirus Antibody Response Survey: Fall 2021 Update

Publication Date: 10/21/2021

How bad is COVID-19 and the Delta Variant in Texas and how should schools respond?

COVID Quo Vadis? Variants, Sick Kids, Vaccines and the Unvaccinated

Publication Date: 08/26/2021

This webinar discussed the current evidence of origin of COVID-19, including: how variants form, the impact of DELTA variant on the unvaccinated, vaccines and the DELTA variant, DELTA variant impacts in children, Lambda and beyond.

Tobacco Exposure and Children’s Health: Identifying Critical Windows and Joint Effects

Publication Date: 07/08/2021

Tobacco exposure is detrimental to early-life growth and the developing brain. Few epidemiological studies have examined prenatal and postnatal exposures within the same study.

Taking it to the STREETS: Evaluating health effects of Safe Routes to School infrastructure changes in Austin, Texas

Publication Date: 04/29/2021

In coordination with the approaching Bike to School day on May 5, 2021, this webinar will highlight the importance of active travel to school, and a current Safe Routes to School (SRTS) initiative.

Texas KIDS COUNT: Health Equity for Every Texas Child

Publication Date: 04/08/2021

All children deserve the opportunity for a healthy life. In Texas, not all children have the health insurance, food security, and economic security needed for a healthy childhood, due to disparities rooted in systemic racism.

Exploring healthy food access and consumption among low-income central Texas residents during COVID-19: the FRESH Austin Study

Publication Date: 03/22/2021

In this webinar, the Food Retail: Evaluation Strategies for a Healthy Austin (FRESH Austin) research team presented empirical and simulation-based findings on the impact of COVID-19 on food security, food purchasing, cooking, and consumption habits among central Texas residents during mid-2020.

Live Smart Texas World Obesity Day Summit

Publication Date: 03/04/2021

Live Smart Texas observed World Obesity Day with a summit highlighting the impact of obesity and how we can work together to address its many root causes.

Finding Effective Technology-Based Tools for the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles During COVID-19

Publication Date: 12/10/2020

Many clinics, schools, and community health partners are having to reinvent how to deliver programs and services to help people live healthier lives during COVID-19.

Computational Propaganda and COVID-19

Publication Date: 11/17/2020

This webinar will explore the role of social media in perpetuating misinformation about COVID-19.

Fetal Origins of Obesity: The Role of Nutrition and the Environment

Publication Date: 11/03/2020

Over 30 years ago, the fetal origins hypothesis proposed that nutrition in pregnancy can influence the health of the offspring across the life course.

Contaminated Air: The Invisible Threat to Patients and Healthcare Workers… Now are you worried about the air?

Publication Date: 10/20/2020

The air, the invisible threat, from the perspective of an environmental health practitioner.

Meals to You: Addressing Child Hunger in the Age of COVID-19

Publication Date: 08/13/2020

In this session we will discuss the trends of child food insecurity prior to and during the pandemic within the larger context of American poverty.

Increases in Food Insecurity due to COVID-19: What Can be Done?

Publication Date: 06/30/2020

Part four of five of our webinar series "Our Food System and Food Insecurity During COVID-19: Stories from Across the State.”

Changes to Food Insecurity and Food Access in Austin During COVID-19

Publication Date: 06/16/2020

Part two of five of our webinar series "Our Food System and Food Insecurity During COVID-19: Stories from Across the State.”

How to Reopen K-12 Schools in the Safest Way Possible: A Path Forward for Education on COVID-19.

Publication Date: 06/03/2020

We are bringing together experts in public health, school architecture, and health education to discuss how schools can begin to plan for reopening and how that might look in action.

Early Implications of COVID-19 on Changes in Injury Patterns in Austin and Across Texas

Publication Date: 04/14/2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts communities all across, Texas, the United States, and the world, people are other unplanned and unexpected serious public health issues are beginning to emerge outside direct infection risks as more people begin to adhere to local and national prevention and risk reduction strategies. This presentation will focus on how injury patterns have begun to change in our community as a result of COVID-19, and areas that will become essential focus to reduce injuries in our communities.

COVID-19: Fighting a Fire Blindfolded

Publication Date: 04/02/2020

Dr. McCormick and Dr. Fisher-Hoch will cover the very basics of coronavirus, the important clinical signs and symptoms, the diagnostic test and its positive and negative aspects, the spread of the virus and role of asymptomatic, how quickly the virus spread in China and how much faster it spread in Italy, Spain and the USA.

What's New With GO, SLOW, WHOA (and Why)

Publication Date: 10/03/2019

The CATCH Program uses a stoplight food classification system known as GO, SLOW, WHOA to help kids and families understand how to make healthier food choices in their day-to-day lives. As nutrition science evolves, we occasionally have to update the GO, SLOW, WHOA guidelines to fit new standards.

10 Things to Know about Adverse Childhood Experiences

Publication Date: 04/03/2019

Adverse Childhood Experiences are stressful and traumatic events, such as abuse or neglect, that have been linked to poor life-long health outcomes. During this presentation, attendees will be introduced to ACE’s, the impact they have on health, and what can be done to overcome them.

The Power of Collaboration

Publication Date: 11/15/2018

Community Health Collaboratives play an important role in health promotion and chronic disease prevention by bringing together individuals, families, schools, employers, community and business leaders, and elected officials in recognizing the importance of health and providing inspiration, information, and support for healthy living.

Reading, Running, and Raspberries! The Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Health During the School Year

Publication Date: 08/16/2018

This webinar will focus on the top 10 ways to promote optimum child health during the school year. Learn about best practices and strategies for incorporating physical activity, healthy eating, and sleep time into your child’s schedule, while limiting screen time and exposure to tobacco and e-cigarettes.

HEAL – A natural experiment to promote obesity prevention behaviors among low-income pregnant women

Publication Date: 05/15/2018

Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) is a six-week, multi-component program to promote breastfeeding, healthy dietary habits, cooking skills and physical activity among Medicaid-eligible pregnant-women in Texas.

E-cigarettes and Vape Pens 101

Publication Date: 03/06/2018

Are you feeling behind on all the fuss about E-cigarettes? What are they? Why are so many people using them? What’s in the big clouds of smoke? Are they safe? This webinar will answer all these questions and more.

Early results from GAVA: A place-based, multi-sectoral intervention targeting healthy lifestyles

Publication Date: 11/16/2017

GAVA seeks to implement strategies targeting residents’ fruit and vegetable behavior and physical activity practice. In this talk, we will describe GAVA’s strategies, and preliminary evaluation results with a specific emphasis on parks.

Implementation and Findings from the CORD Project School Intervention

Publication Date: 10/18/2017

Webinar #3 of a 4-part series.

Activities in the Healthcare Setting for Primary Prevention of Childhood Obesity

Publication Date: 09/20/2017

Webinar #1 of a 4-part series.

Outstanding Mother-Friendly Worksites Series: Hospital Perspective

Publication Date: 02/23/2016

Pat Alridge of John Peter Smith (JPS) Health Network will share how she led efforts to earn the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite designation for all JPS Health Network System worksites.

Supporting worksite lactation is a simple way to provide your employees with greater peace of mind

Publication Date: 10/19/2015

Join us for a Webinar to learn about earning your Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite designation.

CORD Project: Implementing Strategies Across the Community to Help Families with Childhood Obesity

Publication Date: 03/17/2015

In 2011, with funds from the Affordable Care Act, CDC provided funding to 4 grantees to conduct a 4-year Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (CORD) project, which aims to improve children’s nutrition and physical activity behaviors in the places where they live, learn, and play.

Risky Business: Kids, E-cigs, Vaping, and New Tobacco Products

Publication Date: 10/24/2014

Do you know what new tobacco products adolescents are using? Are they harmful? What about the marketing of these products? Is e-cigarrette use amongst teens risky business?

Seguin ISD: Community-based approach to wellness

Publication Date: 08/29/2014

In this month's CATCH webinar we spoke with 4 people who are impacting the city of Seguin, Texas.

Discover CATCH Early Childhood at JCCs Across the Country

Publication Date: 05/19/2014

The partnership between CATCH USA and the Jewish Community Centers of North America started 3 years ago. Since then, forty-one JCCs have been trained in the Discover CATCH program aiming to instill life long healthy habits in the youngest members of our community.

Health is CATCHing on in Dekalb County

Publication Date: 02/28/2014

Dekalb County CATCH Champions share their story of cultivating and maintaining partnerships throughout the community.

CATCH Physical Activity to Positively Address Neurologically Based Behavioral Problems

Publication Date: 12/19/2013

Find out how physical activity can positively address neurologically-based behavior problems.

CATCHing Them Early

Publication Date: 10/29/2013

In this webinar we will discuss childhood obesity trends, CATCH results and strategies.

Are Complete Streets Good for the Public Health of Texas?

Publication Date: 04/25/2013

In this webinar we will examine Complete Streets policies and their potential impact of the health of Texans.

Should Texas Consider a Tax on Sugar Sweetened Beverages?

Publication Date: 03/07/2013

In this webinar we will discuss the potential outcomes of implementing such a policy in Texas.