Vaping Prevention Program Aimed at Students Launched in NYC Schools | |
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CATCH My Breath, an evidence-based vaping prevention program created by researchers from the School of Public Health is now being offered at New York City Public Schools, thanks to a partnership with CATCH Global Foundation and in collaboration with the New York Health Foundation and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Developed by researchers at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin, CATCH My Breath is the only nicotine vaping prevention program recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as an effective school-level intervention and is proven to prevent the initiation of vaping among 6th and 7th-grade students by up to 46%. The program, designed for students in grades 5-12, currently reaches over 1.8 million youth in over 5,000 schools nationwide.
“JUUL lit the match to accelerate the use of e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction by teens, and they have recently settled several large lawsuits with hundreds of school districts across the country,” said Steven Kelder, PhD, MPH, a professor in epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin who developed the CATCH My Breath program. “We are working with school districts to try to reverse nicotine use by teens. Aligned to national health education standards, the CATCH My Breath program provides free resources, including lesson plans, scripted presentation slides, student self-paced modules, a parent toolkit with videos, and more.”
You can learn more about the CATCH My Breath program here.
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Assistant Professor De Moraes
Selected a Mentor by NHLCC
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Assistant Professor Augusto F. De Moraes, PhD, recently attended the 2023 National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative (NHLCC) symposium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
De Moraes was invited to the AHA Scientific Sessions to present his research that found that overall cardiovascular health in children was associated with higher executive cognitive function.
The NHLCC also announced De Moraes as a 2023/2024 official mentor for the NHLCC Scholars mentoring program.
As a mentor, De Moraes will be paired with a PhD student and assist the scholar in achieving their goals throughout their PhD program, primarily focusing on addressing challenges they may encounter as a Hispanic/Latino individual in the US. This includes guiding the scholar on navigating obstacles they may face during their journey and providing information on where to find opportunities for employment, grants, scholarships, conferences, and other resources.
De Moraes discussed his findings in a Houston Chronicle article and the AHA News website.
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Implementation Mapping Boosts National DPP Adoption in Primary Care Clinics | |
UTHealth Houston researchers partnered with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to carry out a five-year project to implement the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) in primary care clinics in the Greater Houston area.
The five-year grant, funded by the CDC, targeted clinics with underserved patient populations to improve referral rates of their patients to chronic disease prevention programs, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.
The pilot program successfully collaborated with 25 clinics in three distinct regions of Texas. It equipped them with technical expertise to enhance their electronic health records for streamlined referrals and clinical expertise to train clinics in delivering effective chronic disease prevention programs. This model is a valuable resource for other health systems aiming to expand similar initiatives.
UTHealth Houston Co-investigators William Perkison, MD, assistant professor with the epidemiology, human genetics, and environmental sciences department, and Maria Fernandez, PhD, a professor with the health promotion and behavioral sciences department, partnered with the Center for Quality Health IT Improvement with the School of Biomedical Informatics for the project. An overview of the study, "A Strategic Approach to Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes," was published in Frontiers in Public Health.
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Omega 3 & Omega 6 Fatty Acids Associated with Slower Cognitive Decline and Lower Risk of Dementia in Older Adults | |
Despite increasing evidence supporting the influence of polyunsaturated fats on specific biological mechanisms that maintain normal brain function and cognitive health, the role of omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids on cognitive outcomes such as cognitive decline and dementia is largely unknown, particularly later in life.
A new publication led by Associate Professor Marcia Otto, PhD, first author, investigated associations of six biomarkers of omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids derived from diet and endogenous metabolism with cognitive health. Using data from 3,564 U.S. older adults in the Cardiovascular Health Study who were free of stroke or cognitive impairment at baseline, the authors evaluated relationships of six omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids measured in plasma phospholipids with cognitive decline, risk of cognitive impairment, and dementia.
After a maximum of 23 years of follow-up, circulating concentrations of arachidonic and docosapentaenoic acids, but not other fatty acids were associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline and lower risk of dementia or cognitive impairment later in life. “Findings from our study are promising, says Otto, and highlight the need to further understand specific pathways related to circulating arachidonic and docosapentaenoic acids that could influence and be effective in preserving cognitive health later in life.”
Findings were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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New Review Highlights the Importance of Healthy Microbiome in Pregnancy and Infancy | |
Professor Herbert L. DuPont, MD, and co-author Madeliene Hines Sage, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, have published a new review about the importance of a healthy microbiome in pregnancy and infancy. The study reviewed PubMed for research on maternal-infant microbiome health, exploring microbiota therapy with prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.
Findings suggest that a healthy, nonobese mother, vaginal delivery, and strict breastfeeding contribute to microbiome health in newborns. Conversely, reduced microbiome diversity during pregnancy, cesarean delivery, prematurity, and formula feeding contribute to dysbiosis.
The study summarizes that focusing on preventing and treating dysbiosis during pregnancy and early infancy can significantly impact an infant's long-term health, emphasizing the critical role of the first 2–3 years in human microbiome development.
Please read more from the review here.
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Two New Publications Spotlight Inequities in Health and Climate Change | |
A new research study published in the Environmental Research Letters journal from Assistant Professor Yun Hang, PhD, explores the health impact of atmospheric elemental carbon (EC) exposure in China, where EC pollution levels are significantly higher than in the US and Europe. Researchers found that, even though other types of pollution went down, the EC pollution in China remained stable, and regions with high coal-power plant concentrations revealed regional disparities in mortality rates.
Yung, in collaboration with Emory University and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, contributed to the Wildfires indicator section of the "2023 report of the
Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: the imperative for a health-centered response in a world facing irreversible harms," published in November of 2023.
Yung was also featured in Rollins Magazine, discussing her ongoing research in environmental justice, air pollution, extreme heat, and green space.
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Humana Foundation awards $249,963 to Produce Prescription Program
The Humana Foundation awarded $249,963 to an ongoing trial program that contrasts how two produce prescription strategies improve obesity-related health outcomes and dietary behaviors among 150 low-income children (ages 5-12) enrolled in Medicaid and experiencing obesity at UT Physicians over 32 weeks.
The "Produce prescription to improve food insecurity and health outcomes among at-risk children and their families" study is led by the Center for Health Equity Director Shreela Sharma, PhD, HPBS Assistant Professor Ru-Jye Chuang, DrPH, and McGovern Medical School Associate Professor Sandra McKay, MD.
The Humana Foundation funds will allow investigators to expand the reach to 150 patients. This study will provide essential insights into the feasibility of producing prescription programs for at-risk families.
The program also lays a foundation for larger-scale studies in the future- focusing on the sustainability and scalability of interventions for integration into standard practice.
Additional information about the Food Is Medicine initiatives can be obtained from the study titled "Food is Medicine: A Primer on Health System Initiatives in Texas," published by the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
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UTHealth Houston School of Public Health Merch - Now Available!
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health merchandise, including apparel and gift items, is now available online!
School of Public Health items can be found on the home page using the search bar and typing "public health" on the website.
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The PEOPLE-Centered Lab, led by EHGES Associate Professor Shannon Guillot-Wright, PhD, and a team of researchers hosted the Docside Clinic on the Galveston docks. The free monthly mobile clinic addresses the lack of healthcare options for migrant workers in high-risk occupational settings, such as seafood workers. | |
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APHA 2023
November 12 - 15
| The Center for Health Equity represented #EHGES at the APHA conference this year with eight oral and poster presentations focused on dental public health, produce prescription programs in healthcare settings, and strengthening the community health worker ecosystem in Texas. | |
ASHG Conference
November 1-5
| EHGES faculty, staff, and students attended the American Society of Human Genetics Conference in Washington, DC. Three faculty members were invited as session moderators, and EHGES faculty, staff, and students all gave talks and presented their research during the poster sessions at the conference. | |
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EHGES
Exam Jam
Tuesday, December 5
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
RAS Building, 6th floor lobby
Join us for the annual EHGES Exam Jam and visit our professional headshot selfie booth! Stop by for cookies, and snap your new photo!
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Upcoming Deadlines, Dates, and more!
Dec 8
Last day of classes for Fall
Dec 11-15
Final Exams for Fall
Dec 25 - 26
Christmas Holiday
University Closed
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Practicum New Learning
Contract Systems Training
Effective early December 2023, the Office of Public Health Practice and Engagement will transition to a new Practicum Learning Contract System. Please join one of the upcoming sessions to explore the brand-new practicum learning contract system.
December 6
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Webex Registration
December 12
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Webex Registration
Learn more about the new SPH practicum system here.
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TEPHI Talk
SHELL USA
Tuesday, December 12
1:00 p.m.
(Zoom Link)
Four guest speakers from Shell USA will discuss how leadership from the health team helped meet Shell’s key objectives during the COVID-19 pandemic: to keep their employees healthy and to ensure business continuity while supporting the energy company’s reputation.
Register via Zoom here.
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2024 New Investigator Development Program – Grants 101 and 102
The New Investigator Development Program (NIDP) helps junior faculty members develop effective research proposals in a two-phase process. In Grants 101, they learn about UTHealth Houston research policies and procedures, and in Grants 102, they refine their skills for writing competitive grant applications. Grants 101 is January 8-9, 2024. Grants 102 is in February 2024.
To register for Grants 101 or apply for Grants 102, see https://uth.edu/nidp/
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Flu shots are available to students, employees
The university's schedule of flu vaccine clinics may be complete, but seasonal flu and COVID-19 shots are still available to students and employees.
Employees may receive a vaccine through UTHealth Services, 6400 Fannin St., Ste.100.The clinic is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students receive vaccines through Student Health and Counseling Services, 6410 Fannin St., Ste.130. The clinic is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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SGM Cancer Care Workshop - Feb 2024 - Houston, TX - Registration Now Open
The Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Curricula to Advance Research & Education (SGM Cancer Care) will hold their next workshop at MD Anderson Cancer Center in February 2024. The workshop seeks to provide participants with knowledge and skills to conduct quality and culturally appropriate research to improve SGM care across the cancer care continuum, from prevention to survivorship, and it will facilitate participant access to a national research community and health care provider network dedicated to shared goals in SGM cancer research.
Registration is open for participants and presenters here.
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Stay in the Loop with EHGES! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to catch up with EHGES news, events, and more! | |
Calling all EHGES alums! EHGES in the News would like to include alum updates and news to feature in our monthly spotlight! Please email Jana Satterwhite, Communications Specialist, to be considered for our upcoming newsletters. | Reminder: For more information on how to handle media requests, see the UTHealth Houston HOOP policy here. If you are contacted by the media, please call the UTHealth Houston Media Relations team on the hotline, 713-500-3030 - someone is available 24/7. Deb Lake is the designated School of Public Health contact. Always choose to call the hotline for immediate assistance. | |
SUBMISSIONS AND NEWSLETTER DEADLINE | |
All campuses are encouraged to submit items for consideration for the monthly EHGES newsletter. Please feel free to submit your items to sphehges@uth.tmc.edu. | | | | |
