Healthy South Texas

While most of us know we should eat better and exercise more, it’s not always obvious how to start. This is especially difficult for those who lack the resources needed to do so, like access to healthy foods, places to be physically active or even health care services.

We deploy programs and activities that take away barriers to good living. Our health educators and extension agents connect with families to teach practical strategies for making healthy decisions. Community health workers provide continuous support to reinforce healthy behaviors and connect people to needed resources. Our public health professionals develop programs that address systemic health care gaps such as limited access to health care. All the while, our clinical and public health experts, researchers and scientists ensure our teachings and strategies are accurate and effective.

Our all-hands-on-deck approach brings together experts, community leaders and community members alike to address population health based on individual needs. As a result, each community we work with has taken ownership of our shared vision to create a culture of health for all Texans. Meet our team.

How we work
Texas A&M is uniquely positioned to create a program like Healthy South Texas because we are one of a handful of universities in the world that houses both a health science center and a robust extension agency. By combining the clinical and public health expertise of Texas A&M University Health Science Center with the unmatched statewide network of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, we are able to engage communities across Texas in effective health education programming.

But we don’t do it alone.

We firmly embrace the importance of letting community needs drive our priorities and action. By listening to local health care professionals, leaders and community members, and inviting them to be involved in the development and delivery of specific activities, each community takes ownership of our vision to create a healthy Texas.

Corpus Christi Regional Campus Facilities and Maps (tamu.edu)

https://health.tamu.edu/about/campuses/corpus-christi.html

Kingsville Regional Campus Facilities and Maps (tamu.edu)

https://health.tamu.edu/about/campuses/kingsville.html

Healthy South Texas

Healthy South Texas focuses on reducing the highest impact diseases and their consequences in the region. It launched in September 2015 in the 27 southernmost counties of the state, spanning from Brazoria to Cameron County. This region accounts for about 10 percent of the state’s population, much of which is underserved and under-resourced. The general population here outnumbers physicians 1,000 to one, and five of these counties have no physician at all.

To meet the underserved health needs in these communities, Healthy South Texas fosters health at all stages of life through programs and activities that engage families and individuals at the most local level. Meet our team.

Activities address:

• Diabetes
• Medication Assistance
• Nutrition Education
• Physical Activity