Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Community Partner
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Program Abstract
Abstract
Background. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has emerged as a United States region facing great hardships regarding health, with the region identified in the work with the highest rates of diabetes and obesity among the diverse mix of people that inhabit it. This extensive public health research shall seek to delve deeply into the relationships between educational disparities and health outcomes in the RGV population, as this might serve as a pivotal point for breaking down health disparities in the RGV. This comprehensive public health research endeavor seeks to delve deeply into that complicated relationship between educational disparities and the health outcomes of the RGV population. This relationship can allow us to position a focal point for dissecting health disparities in the RGV. Methods. A systematic literature review is used to explicate the link between educational disparities and healthcare disparities in the Rio Grande Valley. We are looking for the extent to which educational disparity has been contributing to the development and maintaining a perpetuation of healthcare disparities within that region. Drawing on valuable insights garnered from over nine-hundred hours of active participation in the “College 1st” educational outreach program, we underscore the pivotal role that a higher education may present for betterment of health. Surveys are done after each event and 300 of these surveys were collected to be analyzed. Each survey contained questions assessing the effectiveness of the camp in changing the students’ cognitions about college, homework, and school. Results. The findings reiterate an urgent and compelling need to address the educational gaps in RGV, demonstrating that fixing these is not only important but one of the crucial cornerstones for improving the general health and well-being of the diverse population. Notwithstanding the durable reputation of this region as a health disparity central point, recognizing the relationship between educational disparities and health disparities, however rightly so, is crucial in devising effective interventions like College 1st. Survey analysis is still underway, but the preliminary data showcases that the implementation of College 1st program helps to improve the students cognitions surrounding homework, school, and attending college. Conclusion. This study makes a contribution to the wider discourse on health disparities by examining the connection between education disparity and health outcome in the Rio Grande Valley. The educational gap must be addressed in order to curb the rising healthcare disparities within the Rio Grande Valley.
Recommended Citation
Shaju, Ronald A. and Zuo, Alex, "Addressing Educational Disparities to Improve Health in the Rio Grande Valley" (2024). Research Symposium. 5.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2024/posters/5
Addressing Educational Disparities to Improve Health in the Rio Grande Valley
Background. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has emerged as a United States region facing great hardships regarding health, with the region identified in the work with the highest rates of diabetes and obesity among the diverse mix of people that inhabit it. This extensive public health research shall seek to delve deeply into the relationships between educational disparities and health outcomes in the RGV population, as this might serve as a pivotal point for breaking down health disparities in the RGV. This comprehensive public health research endeavor seeks to delve deeply into that complicated relationship between educational disparities and the health outcomes of the RGV population. This relationship can allow us to position a focal point for dissecting health disparities in the RGV. Methods. A systematic literature review is used to explicate the link between educational disparities and healthcare disparities in the Rio Grande Valley. We are looking for the extent to which educational disparity has been contributing to the development and maintaining a perpetuation of healthcare disparities within that region. Drawing on valuable insights garnered from over nine-hundred hours of active participation in the “College 1st” educational outreach program, we underscore the pivotal role that a higher education may present for betterment of health. Surveys are done after each event and 300 of these surveys were collected to be analyzed. Each survey contained questions assessing the effectiveness of the camp in changing the students’ cognitions about college, homework, and school. Results. The findings reiterate an urgent and compelling need to address the educational gaps in RGV, demonstrating that fixing these is not only important but one of the crucial cornerstones for improving the general health and well-being of the diverse population. Notwithstanding the durable reputation of this region as a health disparity central point, recognizing the relationship between educational disparities and health disparities, however rightly so, is crucial in devising effective interventions like College 1st. Survey analysis is still underway, but the preliminary data showcases that the implementation of College 1st program helps to improve the students cognitions surrounding homework, school, and attending college. Conclusion. This study makes a contribution to the wider discourse on health disparities by examining the connection between education disparity and health outcome in the Rio Grande Valley. The educational gap must be addressed in order to curb the rising healthcare disparities within the Rio Grande Valley.
