{"id":235,"date":"2025-10-12T10:55:48","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T16:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latinxvoces.org\/summit\/?p=235"},"modified":"2025-11-05T19:26:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T01:26:56","slug":"chronic-disease-prevention-management-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinxvoces.org\/summit\/schedule\/panels\/chronic-disease-prevention-management-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Chronic Disease Prevention & Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and obesity remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Latino communities. Prevention and management go beyond clinical care\u2014they require supportive environments, access to healthy food, and opportunities for physical activity. This panel will highlight strategies that strengthen chronic disease prevention and management through clinical, community, and policy approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panelists will share experiences in expanding physical activity structures such as trails, increasing healthy food access through farmers\u2019 markets, and building coalitions that address chronic disease from multiple angles. The discussion will emphasize the importance of data, cross-sectoral collaboration, and culturally tailored education. Participants will leave with practical strategies and resources to support chronic disease prevention and management in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learning Objectives<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Identify major chronic diseases disproportionately affecting Latino communities.
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  2. Explain the role of social, cultural, and environmental factors in chronic disease prevention and management.
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  3. Describe strategies for improving access to physical activity (e.g., trails, parks) and healthy foods (e.g., farmers\u2019 markets).
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  4. Discuss the role of CHWs\/promotores in engaging families and communities in prevention and management.
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  5. Recognize the importance of coalition building, data, and cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing chronic disease.
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  6. Apply at least one resource or tool to strengthen chronic disease prevention in their own context.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Moderator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Dr.
    Dr. Rose M. Z. Gowen \u2013 Physician, Four-Term City Commissioner, and Champion of Healthy, Vibrant Communities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Rose M. Z. Gowen, MD<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Physician & Faculty, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health \u2013 Brownsville<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Board Chair, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Former Brownsville City Commissioner (2009\u20132025)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Dr. Rose M.Z. Gowen, a physician and four-term Brownsville City Commissioner, is a leader in smart growth, quality of life, and health equity. She has pioneered partnerships between public health, city government, and community organizations to combat obesity and chronic disease. Dr. Gowen helped create the Brownsville Farmers\u2019 Market and launched transformative programs such as Cyclobia (Open Streets) and Challenge RGV, engaging thousands in active living and healthier choices. Her leadership helped Brownsville earn national recognition as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health community. She continues to champion vibrant public spaces, active transportation, and accessible nutrition for all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Panelists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Dr.
    Dr. Lisa Mitchell-Bennett \u2013 Public health leader and researcher advancing health equity and community engagement along the U.S.\u2013Mexico border.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Lisa Anne Mitchell-Bennet<\/strong><\/strong>, DrPH, MPH<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Community Health Lead,
    UTHealth Houston School of Public Health \u2013 Brownsville<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Co-Founder,
    Binational Community Health Worker Project<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Website<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Dr. Lisa Mitchell-Bennett, born in Mexico City, is a public health leader, researcher, and community advocate dedicated to advancing health equity along the U.S.\u2013Mexico border. With advanced degrees in public health and international development, she has worked across Latin America and the U.S., co-founding a binational Community Health Worker project and managing school-based health centers in Texas. For over two decades, she has led community engagement at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville, directing initiatives such as Tu Salud \u00a1S\u00ed Cuenta! and programs addressing social determinants of health. Her work emphasizes participatory research, cultural strengths, and sustainable, community-driven change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \"Belinda
    Belinda Reininger, DrPH, Regional Dean and Professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth School of Public Health in Brownsville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Belinda Reininger<\/strong><\/strong>, DrPH<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Regional Dean & Professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health \u2013 Brownsville<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Dr. Belinda Reininger is the Regional Dean and professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science for the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville.\u00a0 Dr. Reininger leads research projects to address chronic diseases faced by Hispanic populations. Dr. Reininger, in partnership with the Community Action Board in South Texas, has supported policy and environmental changes including tobacco-free ordinances, complete street ordinances, building bike\/ped trails, community gardens, farmers\u2019 markets, chronic care management programs and community wide campaigns. Dr. Reininger is dedicated to mentoring students in the Lower Rio Grande Valley including serving as the director for the RGV Summer Science Internship.\u00a0 She is also the contact PI for the All of Us Project through UTHealth in Brownsville.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \"Moises
    Moises Arjona Jr., MS – Public Health Leader and Collective Impact Director Advancing Diabetes Prevention and Community Wellness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Moises Arjona Jr, MS<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Collective Impact Director,
    Unidos Contra La Diabetes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (UCD) Founder,
    Leading The Way Forward, LLC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Moises Arjona Jr. brings over two decades of experience in healthcare, with more than nine years dedicated to community-based public health along the U.S.\u2013Mexico Border. His work focuses on addressing health disparities and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations in the Border Health region. As the Collective Impact Director for Unidos Contra La Diabetes (UCD) in the Rio Grande Valley, Moises leads collaborative efforts to raise awareness and prevent Type 2 Diabetes. He works closely with Community Health Workers and grassroots organizations to implement sustainable health and wellness initiatives. In addition to his role at UCD, Moises is the founder of Leading The Way Forward, LLC, a consulting firm that empowers local organizations to drive change within their communities. Known for his strategic leadership and problem-solving skills, Moises is passionate about building healthier futures through equity-driven, community-led solutions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \"\"
    Dr. Rose M. Z. Gowen \u2013 President, Access to Health Foundation & Agility Cares<\/em>
    Board of Directors, Agility Holdings Group<\/em>
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    Jason Wright<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    President, <\/em>
    Access to Health Foundation & Agility Cares<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Board of Directors,<\/em>
    Agility Holdings Group<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Website<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Jason Wright serves as President of the Access to Health Foundation (501(c)(4))<\/strong> and Agility Cares (501(c)(3))<\/strong>, where he leads national efforts to expand healthcare access, promote innovation, and advance value-based care across rural and underserved communities. Under his leadership, both organizations have become catalysts for reform\u2014bridging the gap between policymakers, providers, and insurers to improve outcomes and reduce costs for millions of Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A member of the Board of Directors for Agility Holdings Group<\/strong>, one of the largest health insurance organizations in the U.S., Jason plays a key role in shaping the company\u2019s advocacy, innovation, and corporate responsibility strategy. His work unites public and private partners around one mission: to make quality healthcare more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before entering the private sector, Jason spent more than a decade as a U.S. Senate staffer<\/strong>, where he built deep expertise in healthcare policy, rural economic development, and government affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to his leadership in healthcare, Jason is a podcast host, writer, and entrepreneur<\/strong>, producing The Jason Wright Show<\/em> and The Healthy CEO<\/em>, where he explores the intersection of longevity, performance, and leadership. His guiding philosophy\u2014\u201cImprove Always in All Ways<\/strong>\u201d\u2014reflects his lifelong commitment to helping individuals and institutions reach their highest potential.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n