Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pharr public health director highlights grants, research links to outdoor programs
Summary
Pharr’s public health director described grant collaborations that tie public-health goals to outdoor and education programs, including environmental literacy research and efforts that link healthy aging and outdoor spaces.
PHARR, Texas — Nico Topeng, the City of Pharr’s public health director, told the Keep Pharr Beautiful advisory board on March 18 that his department is pursuing grant opportunities that connect environmental education, place-based learning and health outcomes.
Topeng said the public health team met with forestry grant staff and is exploring funding that would support place-based environmental education from childhood through adulthood. He highlighted an "environmental literacy for community resilience" opportunity — discussed earlier by grants staff — and said the public health department aims to align education and outreach with broader health goals.
Topeng also described intersecting work on Alzheimer’s and dementia grants that leverage outdoor spaces and physical activity as part of prevention and quality-of-life strategies for older residents. He said staff are investigating technologies and program designs to better track health indicators and improve the reach of prevention programs.
Ending: Topeng said his office will continue to coordinate with parks, grants and communications staff to integrate health-focused program elements into tree-planting, education and outreach initiatives.
