Laredo, Texas— Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced a $125,000 federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the City of Laredo Health Department. The health department will use the funding to develop a plan for the city to address social determinants of health. The plan will focus on disease prevention, education, disease management and social engagement.

The goal is for the Laredo Health Department to reinforce existing cross-sector partnerships to improve mental and physical health outcomes for individuals in Webb County and Laredo, Texas.

“This funding will work to increase the engagement of key players in our community with the aim of increasing the overall health and wellbeing of all Laredoans,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Over 15% of South Texans suffer from Chronic diseases such as diabetes or chronic lung diseases. By studying social determinants of health, we can develop a plan to fight these diseases and improve outcomes for those who suffer from them. The health of our community is always my top priority, and I am happy to support our health care workers in Laredo. I want to thank Dr. Richard Chamberlain and the rest of the staff at the Laredo Health Department for their never-ending commitment to improve the health of our community.”

"We want to thank Congressmen Cuellar's office for his support in addressing the social determinants of health in Laredo. This grant will improve chronic disease outcomes among persons experiencing health disparities and inequities in the community,” said the Director of the Laredo Health Department Dr. Richard A. Chamberlain.

“I would like to thank Congressman Cuellar for his support in addressing the social determinants of health in Laredo. This grant will improve chronic disease outcomes among persons experiencing health disparities and inequities in the community,” said the Mayor of Laredo Pete Saenz.

The City of Laredo Health Department will reinforce existing cross-sector partnerships and expand on disease self-management and prevention services to improve chronic disease outcomes, particularly among individuals that are at higher risk to experience health disparities and inequities. Laredo Health will prioritize community-clinical linkages such as additional offerings of their prevention, education and disease management programs and social connectedness by identifying and implementing support services that encourage a sense of community and belonging to improve mental and physical health outcomes.

Laredo Health expects to increase collaboration and participation of existing and new partners within the Laredo Health Coalition, to include private sector stakeholders, community and economic development partners, local public transportation, food banks and community pantries, in order to obtain adequate feedback for future public health efforts.

The project will also result in increased capacity of existing disease self-management program that addresses chronic disease such as diabetes, obesity, malnutrition, hypertension and related co-morbidities and offer these services to hard-to-reach populations within the existing workforce and the elderly.


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