Join us for an inspiring exploration into how community health competitions are revolutionizing public health in Texas. With chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes posing significant health burdens and driving up healthcare costs, innovative strategies are urgently needed. This workshop delves into the It's Time Texas Community Challenge, an impactful 8-week competition that unites individuals, organizations, and entire communities to foster healthy living through friendly competition.
Discover how this initiative is catalyzing positive change by promoting evidence-based interventions, inspiring innovative health solutions, and mobilizing resources across diverse sectors. Whether you're a public health professional, community leader, or passionate advocate for wellness, this workshop will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to drive health improvements in your community.
Objectives
- Identify barriers to health and how they impact community health outcomes
- Define gamification and how it can be integrated into community health competitions to promote behavior change
- Identify how the It's Time Texas Community Challenge supports communities in creating positive behavior change.
Presenters
Andrea Rosario, MPH, CHES is the Senior Director of Health and Civic Education for It’s Time Texas, the nonprofit creating a healthier Texas through a focus on health prevention. With more than 15 years of experience in public health, her work spans health curricula creation, program development and management, and advocacy. At It’s Time Texas, Andrea oversees the development of community-informed and evidence-based health and civic education programs, ensuring they impact Texans’ health in meaningful ways. A social and reproductive justice advocate, Andrea serves on the boards of Health Literacy Texas and Healing Hands Community Doula Project.
Ricardo Parra, M.S is the program manager of the Community Challenge, a statewide wellness initiative where participants become health champions by logging healthy actions and supporting members of their community is starting their health journey. He has been with It’s Time Texas since 2022. Ricardo graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Master of Science in Exercise Science in 2022, where his work focused on the effects of various resistance training methods in older populations. A native of the RGV, Ricardo spends his free time in the gym, in the kitchen, or at the coffee shop with friends.
Amelia Carnagey, MPH is the Director of Marketing at It's Time Texas, where she is dedicated to making a positive impact on the overall health of the State of Texas. With a Master's degree in Public Health and a background in higher-ed teaching, marketing and graphic design, Amelia brings a unique blend of skills to her role. Her expertise lies in marketing, health communications, and graphic design. Amelia has a passion for public health and is committed to driving behavior change and promoting healthier lifestyles. Her previous experience includes working at the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health Department in Abilene, Texas, where she addressed community needs and gained valuable experience. She strives to create impactful campaigns and initiatives that improve community health outcomes and empower individuals to make healthier choices.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84575269017
