From Our Team

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…

Changing the Mindset on Mental Health

Posted on January 23, 2023 by Sandra Day

One’s Mental health is often not as prioritized as the physical body, yet they are closely connected. Taking care of one’s emotions, thoughts, and mental well-being is just as crucial as getting your yearly physical. However, many individuals with mental conditions are reluctant to seek help due to stigma, lack of access, and misinformation, unfortunately leading to delayed treatment, which develops into a crisis.

Healthcare leaders and policymakers at every level are becoming increasingly aware that communities need support to combat untreated mental illness and promote wellness and…

Diabetes, Now What?

Posted on December 25, 2022 by Audrey Garcia

According to the El Paso Center for Diabetes, an estimated 9.4 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes, making it the seventh leading cause of death. In El Paso, the prevalence of diabetes outpaces the national numbers, with 15 percent of El Paso adults living with diabetes. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, vision loss, foot problems, and the need for kidney dialysis, and be an immediate greater risk with co-occurring threats like Covid-19.

While there is not yet a cure for diabetes, proper weight, healthy eating, active living, medication…