From Our Team

Could you have diabetes? Take the Free Online Risk Test

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Audrey Garcia

Let’s face the facts. In El Paso, the prevalence of diabetes outpaces the national average of 11.3 percent, with 15 percent of El Paso adults living with diabetes.

A recent study using data from PHIX, the Paso del Norte Health Information Exchange, shared that Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes rates are significantly higher in the older neighborhoods along the El Paso border with Mexico, running from central El Paso to Socorro, Ysleta del Sur, San Elizario, Fabens, and Tornillo. The data set used by PHIX also revealed that among those aged 65 and older, 37% have diabetes. …

BOOST Celebrates the Vital Role of OST Providers in Paso del Norte, with a special guest appearance of “Little Amal”

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Sandra Day

In the Paso del Norte region, a commitment to community collaboration and youth empowerment shines a pathway toward a brighter future. The annual “Lights on Afterschool” event, with its celebration of Out-of-School Time (OST) providers, ensures the path stays ignited for our children and community.

OST providers offer an invaluable service by extending learning opportunities beyond traditional school hours.

This year, the Borderland Out-of-School Time Network (BOOST)-Lights on Afterschool initiative will transcend geographical boundaries with a three-city event – in El Paso, Texas,…

Investing in the community's health through nutrition education.

Posted on September 8, 2023 by Jana Renner

Common Threads, a national nonprofit with programming in El Paso, equips communities with the knowledge and skills to make healthy food choices with hands-on culinary and nutrition classes. These classes become even more vital when we consider that approximately one in five children in the U.S., ages 2 to 19, suffers from obesity – a concern made worse following the pandemic. As September marks National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address and combat the escalating health challenges faced by our youth. Committed to…

The crucial role of parent engagement in student well-being

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Jana Renner

In today’s fast-paced world, our children’s health and well-being must remain a top priority. And schools play a significant role in child health. They deliver academic content in core subjects and provide knowledge, skills, and support to help children live healthy lives. One essential yet often overlooked entity in promoting the well-being of students is your school district’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC). In an era when academic achievements often dominate discussions about educational excellence, SHACs provide a holistic approach that acknowledges the undeniable link between…

A Trail for Everyone

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Jana Renner

A vibrant outdoor hike/bike space is emerging mile-by-mile through neighborhoods across El Paso. With more than 20 miles of the planned 68-mile county-wide Paso del Norte Trail completed, residents from the Mission Valley to the Upper Valley and neighborhoods in between are enjoying this new amenity built for newcomers and already active walkers, runners, and cyclists. The Paso del Norte Trail master plan was developed over the last five years with funding from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and input from local partners, stakeholders, and residents. The Health…

Realizing the value of nonprofit board service in our region

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Guest Author

Volunteering can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in a person’s life. People can volunteer time, talent, and treasures for various activities such as mentoring youth, distributing food at a local pantry, coaching youth sports, cleaning up an elderly neighbor’s yard, responding to a natural disaster, organizing fundraising events, participating in a place of worship, and much more.

Serving on a nonprofit board of directors is another excellent way to give back to your community. Being a board member, sometimes called a trustee, offers a meaningful opportunity to apply your…

Unlocking Social Success: The PEERS Program at the NMSU Papen-Aprendamos Autism Diagnostic Center

Posted on May 11, 2023 by Sandra Day

Parents and caregivers of children with autism are their lifelong teachers; for this reason, having an evidence-based curriculum like the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) that includes parents as coaches is invaluable.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. Individuals with ASD often struggle with making and maintaining friendships, leading to isolation and loneliness. The U.S. Surgeon General says that lack of social connection poses a significant health risk, and…

Beyond the Bell: Unlocking the Power of Summer Programs

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Sandra Day

As students in the borderland count down the days until the bell rings one last time for the school year, parents seek ways to keep children engaged while school is not in session.

Out-of-school-time (OST) providers offer a wide range of summer programs. For a good reason, these programs have become increasingly popular. Summer programming provides a unique opportunity for students to continue learning outside of the traditional classroom setting with activities that promote their learning and development while keeping them active. For working parents, summer programs also offer a safe…

Investing in registered dietitians is a heath investment for the region.

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Jana Renner

Eating healthy isn’t easy, and it can be especially difficult for those with chronic diseases. If someone has pre-diabetes, diabetes, or obesity, seeing a registered dietitian that is trained in food restrictions, eating habits, and meal plans could make eating healthy easier.

According to the American Diabetes Association, in New Mexico, 12.3% of adults have diabetes. It is important to not only prevent diabetes through healthy eating programs but to also provide management and treatment in a clinical setting.

The New Mexico State University (NMSU) Dietetic Internship program is the…

Tobacco Use Among Youth

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Dr. Michael Kelly

Taking those first few puffs, I felt like my insides were on fire. But after trying smoking a few more times, the feeling turned from bad to good…so I thought. Today, I smoke at least a pack of cigarettes a day and can’t stop. I have tried several time to quit, but just can’t.

These are familiar words that teens are expressing about their experience with smoking. Smoking is addictive and causes serious health problems. Three-quarters of young people who use tobacco daily continue to do so because they find it hard to quit. The American Lung Association estimates that every minute…