Enhancements    

EMPOWERING RURAL YOUTH: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CLIMATE SCIENCE, HEALTH LITERACY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN EL PASO COUNTY

EMPOWERING RURAL YOUTH: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CLIMATE SCIENCE, HEALTH LITERACY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN EL PASO COUNTY
PI: Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia
Co-PI: Marissa Testerman
Sponsor: NIH - NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
Health Promotion/Public Health Science
Amount awarded: $35,000

Recognizing the pressing need for trusted health information, our proposed pilot initiative will equip Hispanic and Mexican-American students in rural high schools with the tools to navigate and effectively utilize the information resources provided by the NLM and NIH/HHS to ensure that they become informed health and environmental ambassadors in their communities. Central to our endeavor is a comprehensive educational program that harmoniously blends lessons on evaluating health information from authoritative sources like NLM/NIH with in-depth knowledge of the local impacts of climate change. This dual approach ensures not only improved health literacy but also fosters a deep-rooted trust in science, emphasizing the pivotal role of NLM/NIH in public health and biomedical research. Beyond the theoretical knowledge, students will engage in tangible scientific activities, from field sampling to! laboratory analyses, ensuring they experience the full spectrum of scientific inquiry. Such hands-on experiences are complemented by training in effective communication, enabling students to disseminate their knowledge through various community events, from health fairs to science fairs. In doing so, our project directly addresses and amplifies health equity in a manner that truly resonates with the rural communities of San Elizario, Tornillo, Clint, and Fabens. Our collaborative framework, involving a seasoned faculty member and dedicated university library personnel, will further ensure that students gain maximum exposure to NLM and NIH/HHS resources, reinforcing their value and importance in promoting health equity and advancing scientific knowledge. In essence, our pilot initiative represents a holistic approach to health equity, where environmental consciousness, health literacy, and community engagement intertwine, all while staying firmly anchored in the principles ! and resources provided by NLM and NIH/HHS. This document descr! ibes activities performed under an Award Agreement between Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) and The University of Texas at El Paso.

Posting date: Thu, 06/27/2024

Award start date: Sun, 01/01/2023
Award end date: Tue, 12/31/2024