Title: Transforming Transportation and Health in Brownsville, Texas
Track: Change
Format: 60 minute panel
Abstract: Brownsville, Texas is a fast-growing city located on the Texas and Mexico Border, with a rich cultural heritage and high poverty rates. Learn about how the city went from being resistant to active transportation to embracing it in the interest of becoming a healthier, happier, and more livable city.
Presenters:
Presenter: Ramiro Gonzalez City of Brownsville
2. Presenters
•Ramiro Gonzalez- Comprehensive Planning and Redevelopment Manager
•Art Rodriguez- Health Director
•Eva Garcia- Planner and Bike Advocate
3. •Introduction
•The Problem
•Drive for Transformation
•Changing the Conversation
•Planning
•Putting Words into Action
4. Where is Brownsville?
On the US/Mexico Border
Southernmost point in the Continental United States
277 Miles from San Antonio
10. Health Crisis
1 in 3 people are diabetic
20% higher than the rest of Texas
23%
higher than the national average
either obese or overweight
80%
More than 40%
Poverty level
= $20,614 for a family of 4
1/3 of Americans will be diabetic In 2050
16. Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Hispanic Adults,
by State, BRFSS, 2011-2013
Data not reported* 15%–<20% 20%–<25% 25%–<30% 30%–<35% ≥35%
* Sample size <50 or the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥ 30%.
17. Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic Black Adults,
by State, BRFSS, 2011-2013
Data not reported* 15%–<20% 20%–<25% 25%–<30% 30%–<35% ≥35%
* Sample size <50 or the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥ 30%.
18. Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic White Adults,
by State, BRFSS, 2011-2013
Data not reported* 15%–<20% 20%–<25% 25%–<30% 30%–<35% ≥35%
* Sample size <50 or the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥ 30%.
20. UT School of Public Health- Brownsville Regional Campus (2000)
•Established in 2000
•Established the Hispanic Health Research Center
•Mission is to reduce or eliminate health disparities that exist in Hispanics living in the South Texas Border region and nationally
21. Community Advisory Board (2004)
•Funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a way to connect the community with the school
•Also funded through the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences who partners with MD Anderson, UT Health, and Memorial Hermann Hospital System
22. •“With soaring rates of obesity and diabetes, we urgently needed to get the word out to our community, but also needed to work on solutions based on successful evidence-based approaches along with real stories of individuals.”
Joseph McCormick, MD, PHD, SPH Dean
23. CAB Programs
•Tu Salud Si Cuenta
•Brownsville Farmers Market/Brownsville Wellness Coalition
•Brownsville Community Gardens
•Biggest Loser Challenge
49. IN BROWNSVILLE Master Bike and Bike Plan
In cities with high levels of bicycle riding, the average bicycle trip is between two and three miles
50. Why do you Walk or Bicycle in Brownsville Today?
7% 63% 26% 10% 0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70% To get to work/school/run errandsFor exercise/recreationBothI do not currently walk or ride a bikeWhy do you walk or bicycle?
51. Reasons not to walk or bike (top answers shown)
-No trails/sidewalks/facilities
-Do not feel safe
-Do not own a bicycle Biggest hurdles to walking and biking in Brownsville (top answers shown)
-Traffic/inconsiderate drivers
-Not safe
-Not convenient/no sidewalks or trails/no places to ride
123. Policy Changes
•COMPLETE STREETS
•NACTO
•Sidewalk Ordinance
•Bike Parking
•Safe Passing Ordinance
•Smoking Ban
•Plastic Bag Ban (First City in Texas)
125. •East 6th Street Green Lane/Cycle Track: $250,000 TXDOT Grant for Sidewalk Expansion
•Southmost Nature Trail (7 Miles CDBG/Category 7/City of Brownsville)- $4.5 million
•Resaca de la Palma Battlefield Connection (FHWA, Federal Land Access Program, City)- $200,000
•Battlefield Trail 2.5 Mile Extension Extension through Downtown(TXDOT Enhancement Grant)-$750,000
•Belden Trail- TPWD, CDBG, BCIC- $500,000
•Belden Trail Connect- $200,000
•Morrison Rd. Trail- $200,000
•Total Funding Acquired and Leveraged= 6.6 million