Benzinga | May 24, 2021 07:06AM EDT

Social & Health Research Center and Quest Diagnostics Team Up to Address Childhood Hunger and Obesity Exacerbated by COVID-19 in Underserved Communities

Childhood obesity has disproportionately affected Hispanic and Black communities as a result of negative social determinants of health for years. In the wake of COVID-19, low-income and racial/ethnic minority families, particularly Hispanic and African American, are struggling with an even greater risk of health complications such as obesity, diabetes, respiratory ailments and other predisposing conditions, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control.

To help address the health inequity crisis, the Social and Health Research Center (SAHRC) of San Antonio, Texas has developed the Bienestar/Neema Coordinated School Health Program, an evidenced-based program using an innovative digitized curriculum designed to engage children and increase accessibility. The program has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes for Health (NIH).

The program is led by Dr. Roberto Trevi?o, M.D., a physician and noted author who founded the SAHRC in 1995 to design and evaluate early age obesity and type 2 diabetes school health prevention programs. Dr. Trevi?o is the principal investigator of the two largest trials funded by the National Institutes of Health to prevent obesity and diabetes in children.

"We worked with young animation creators, ages 16 to 24, in four countries and the US who brought their diverse perspectives helping us create a digital interactive platform, that is engaging for the diverse populations that we are reaching," said Dr. Trevi?o. "We have already begun to see the impact of this curriculum, as young children are taking what they learn back to their families, encouraging them to make healthy choices as well. Using animation will make this program even more compelling."

SAHRC has partnered with South Texas public schools in deploying healthcare and physical education curriculum and workbooks to positively influence children and their families' health behaviors to control and prevent obesity and related chronic diseases.

"As one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, San Antonio is committed to addressing the health needs of all of its citizens and our future generations," said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. "We are eager to help our children develop healthy habits by moving this effort forward with SAHRC and Quest Diagnostics. I want San Antonio to serve as a healthy lifestyle model to expand this innovative and interactive animated platform across the country."