Fostering a culture of health requires a shift in collective consciousness that can only be achieved through collective impact. Uniting communities around wellness will not only promote positive health outcomes, but also encourage initiatives for regional success.
In the Texas Rio Grande Valley, families struggle with some of the highest rates of poverty, chronic disease, and related mortality that exceed those in most other regions of the state and the nation. It is also a vibrant border region, with a bicultural tapestry that weaves together the traditions, history, language, and food of both Mexico and Texas in an attractive Gulf coast setting, unique natural resources, and semi-tropical climate that draws visitors from the north and the south.
Recognizing this dichotomy, the community-wide campaign, Tu Salud Si Cuenta, is a health promotion and behavioral science-based program focused on empowering low-income, uninsured individuals to achieve their healthy lifestyle goals. By subcontracting municipalities to implement this model for community wellness, we create a network of stakeholders engaged in promoting healthy lifestyles while reducing chronic illness.
Participants will learn how municipal partnerships can lead to initiatives that improve health outcomes, link communities, generate new economic opportunities, diversify the local tourism market, and build a unified effort to achieve overall wellness.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize how partnerships between municipalities and academic institutions can improve health equity in communities
- Recognize the benefits of collaboration between academic public health institutions and municipalities
