Current Projects Fact Sheets

Salud America! The RWJF Research Network to Prevent Obesity Among Latino Children

SUMMARY

The obesity rate among U.S. children has tripled over the past three decades, and several age groups of Latino children have higher obesity rates than other ethnic groups. As such, Salud America! was established to develop a network of researchers, community leaders, groups and public and health activists to fight the childhood obesity epidemic among Latino children. Program activities include developing a research priority agenda on Latino childhood obesity; using this agenda to fund and support 20 pilot research projects, each up to $75,000 each over two years; provide training and mentoring opportunities for funded pilot researchers; disseminate research findings, policies and applicable strategies to reduce Latino childhood obesity through publications, an E-Newsletter, E-Alert, Web site, a series of scientific conferences, the media, and other avenues.

FUNDING

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
2007-12
Project No. 61259

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH
  IHPR, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Kipling Gallion, MA
  IHPR, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

PROGRAM COORDINATORS

• Patricia Chalela, DrPH
  IHPR, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Emma Mancha, MPA
  IHPR, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

COLLABORATORS

In progress

LOCATION/SERVICE AREA

A national program based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

CONCLUSIONS

The network has just begun, and it joins the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s thrust to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015 by improving access to affordable healthy foods and increasing opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities across the nation.

PUBLICATIONS

In progress