From Our Team

Parenting and Bully Prevention

As the 2014-2015 school year begins, kids are starting off fresh with new opportunities to develop friendships and social networks. This is a special time when life-long connections can form. It can also be an emotionally challenging time. In addition to getting to know teachers and getting familiar with school assignments, parents must be vigilant to prevent childhood bullying.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. It can happen at school, on the playground, on the…

Online Safety Tips

My daughter asks “Dad, what time is dinner?” “In about half an hour, I respond.” This sounds like a common home exchange. One major difference is that today I’m using my smart phone to respond to my daughter’s question even though she is in the next room. As parents it is hard to make decisions on how much access to technology children should have. While we may fear the unknown online world, we must overcome and educate ourselves to maintain a healthful connection with our kids. School groups, band and athletic programs, even the National Honor Society all have connections through social…

Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders

Last month, the Board of Directors of the Foundation approved a new initiative titled “REALIZE.”

REALIZE is a cutting edge leadership development experience. The purpose is to inspire good leaders to become transformational leaders for the benefit of the region’s health. From mid-sized health and human service agencies to large government agencies and school districts to private clinical businesses, leaders are key to improving policy, providing services, and promoting wellness for the Paso del Norte region.

The Foundation’s plans for REALIZE to be the most outstanding leadership…

Tobacco Use Among Youth

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…

Parents are First Sex Educators

Recent reports indicate that kids 14 to 17 years of age are engaging in sexual activity. Is your son or daughter having sex? Parents, if you’re not talking with your kids about dating, relationships, and sex – now is the time to start. The Paso del Norte Region, which includes El Paso County, has a high rate of teenage pregnancy and high rates of live births to teens. Studies show that 82% of teen pregnancies are unplanned and teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school. Only about one-third obtain a high school diploma.

While discussing sexuality with your child may not be…

Helping Traumatized Individuals

Every day I think of the Cd. Juárez residents, (especially the children) who are experiencing levels of violence that are difficult for me to comprehend. As friends, family, and neighbors, we need to find ways to assist our sister city. The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is committed to finding creative strategies to help our border residents. Today, we are granting funds to organizations in El Paso and Juárez to work with victims of violence by training professionals to counsel traumatized individuals. Therapists on both sides of the border share with us stories of individual children…

Binge Drinking Has Major Consequences

Before the holidays, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released some new statistics and information about excessive drinking. It may be assumed that excessive alcohol use is associated with alcohol dependence and that most of the societal and health problems associated with alcohol use are from those who are alcohol dependent, or alcoholics. However, nine of ten people who report excessive use of alcohol do not meet the criteria for alcohol dependence. This means most of the societal problems associated with alcohol are caused by people who sometimes drink too much not…

Underage drinking is no minor problem

“I’d rather my teen and her friends drink in my home than drink and drive.” Many well-meaning parents believe that allowing their teenagers and their friends to drink alcohol in their homes is safe and prevents alcohol related car accidents. They may also believe that allowing their teens to drink under adult supervision leads to healthier attitudes about drinking. Recent reports about excessive underage drinking parties as well as new studies about the long-term effects of underage drinking provide compelling reasons to rethink this commonly held belief.

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New reasons to quit smoking

Lent provided good motivation for some smokers to “set their date” and give up smoking. If you are a smoker, you may have fasted from smoking to break the habit. If so, congratulations! If you tried and did not succeed, do not agonize. While a few folks are able to quit on their first attempt, quitting is not easy, and most smokers make multiple quit attempts before stopping completely .

If you smoke and haven’t found your motivation, here are some recent findings that might help. A comprehensive study of health and death records in the United States uncovered some impressive health…

Melanoma Monday

With the bright summer sun soon upon us, the first Monday in May is designated with a menacing name: “Melanoma Monday.” On this day and throughout May, the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society (ACS) promote the prevention and early detection of melanoma.

As the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. Melanomas can appear on the skin suddenly and without warning. Unlike many cancers, melanoma can be cured if detected early.

Knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your…