From Our Team

Get Your Teen Ready for Summer!

Summer is upon us and kids are looking forward to summer vacation. Before you hear the summertime teenage cry of “I’m bored”, prepare yourself with a response. Planned activities by reputable organizations have the benefits of providing a safe environment for learning and making friends, while also diverting teenagers from potentially harmful activity. If teenagers don’t find a positive and supportive environment to take risks and try new things, they might resort to trying new things in a negative environment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration…

Food and Quality of Life

When it comes to health and quality of life, food plays a central role. Yet quality of life conversations more often are associated with recreational events, arts and culture, libraries, medical services, schools, jobs, housing, weather, and other topics. Food may only be considered as a factor in cost of living calculations.

Air, water, shelter, and food are essential for life. Urban plans, government agencies, and private developments frequently have long-range plans for clean air, water, and housing. But master planning for food, although not absent, seems to be a smaller piece of the…

Recess before Lunch

Parents, caregivers, and educators inherently seek ways in which we can improve our children’s lives. When it comes to physical activity and nutrition, I am optimistic that we are on the precipice of a period in which new approaches to eating well and being active are discovered that can profoundly improve our children’s quality of life.

For example, emerging research suggests that children eat better at school if they have recess before lunch. My elementary lunchtime memories include visions of a cavernous lunchroom and lime green cafeteria trays. Throughout my elementary years, my…

E-cigarettes and vaping

On March 20th, the City of Socorro tweaked its municipal clean indoor air ordinance, by changing the definition of smoking to include “electronic cigarette or e-cigarette or liquid nicotine.” By doing so, Socorro now prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes in restaurants, bars, and other indoor work environments. This decision makes

Socorro the first municipality in the region to join Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and other cities to treat electronic cigarettes like conventional cigarettes. While many cities are considering this type of change to their existing ordinances, the…

Keep friends and family safe from food poisoning

Spring is in the air and time for picnics and cookouts. While hamburgers, potato salad, grilled meats, and fresh vegetables may all be part of a fun-filled meal, they have something else in common. They can spread bacteria that cause food poisoning, making you, your family, and friends sick. From backyard cookouts and large celebrations to sack lunches and office snacks, make sure you plan well for food safety.

You are able to help keep food and your family safe by following four simple rules: Clean, Separate, Cook and, Chill.

Clean your hands with warm water and soap often….

Concern over the concept of 'Food Deserts'

Over the last few years, there’s been significant concern over the concept of ‘food deserts.’ The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines these as “communities, particularly low-income areas, in which residents do not live in close proximity to affordable and healthy food retailers. Healthy food options in these communities are hard to find or are unaffordable.” In the vernacular, food deserts are neighborhoods without grocery stores, particularly stores that sell fresh produce. Researchers have found an association between low access to grocery stores and poor…

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…

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…