STC Partners in Fight Against Diabetes Epidemic

United with the various hospital systems, local universities and private nursing schools in the region, South Texas College will continue to be an important cornerstone supporting the health care needs of communities in the Rio Grande Valley.

Touting its partnerships in the fight against the region’s most prevalent disease, STC leadership say they are resolute in their support.  

“I would like to mention the opportunity to be able to advocate for the educational needs of the Valley. It’s an honor to be a part of this incredible movement, and I am inspired by the quality of people who are here today who are interested in the college and more importantly in the well-being of the citizens of the Valley,” said STC President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis. “At South Texas College, we are very proud that we have a very proactive community, board and of course our staff and faculty. It’s very important we continue to get this message out and to continue advocating for our health care needs because a healthy community is certainly a very productive and progressive community.

South Texas College, South Texas Health System and Prominence Health Plan presented “Addressing Diabetes as a Community,” a special panel discussion with health care experts and leaders on Wednesday at STC’s Pecan Campus.  

Panel speakers included Hidalgo County Pct. 2 commissioner Eddie Cantu; Dr. Sujan Gogu, Family Medicine, Sports Medicine & Pain Management Physician at South Texas Health System Clinics; Sulema Solis, Health Services Director with PSJA ISD; Moises Arjona, Unidos Contra la Diabetes; and Ana d’Escrivan, Certified Dietitian & Nutritionist with Complete Nutrition Services. All agreed that early prevention is key.

“I think it’s in partnership with our school districts, Boys and Girls Clubs, and employers that we’ll make progress. Partnerships are key,” said Cantu. “Whether it’s with our schools, our hospitals and our health care providers, I think utilizing our partnerships is the best way to tackle the problem.” 

More than 37 million people in the United States, approximately 11.3 percent of the population, have diabetes. This total includes the 28.7 million people currently living with the disease, as well as the 8.5 million people who are undiagnosed. 

Studies suggest that nearly 27 % of the population in the Valley suffers from the chronic health condition, nearly three times higher than the national average.

Adults nationwide have a 40 percent chance of developing the disease, but that risk goes up to 50 percent for Hispanic/Latino Americans, according to the Center for Disease Control. Hispanics make up 93.5 percent of the population in the Valley, according to 2022 demographic information.

“Knowing that this disease is highly prevalent in our area, we need to have more of these conversations because collectively we can ensure that our efforts will have the proper effect in our community,” said Dr. Jayson Valerio, STC dean of Nursing and Allied Health. “One of the best attributes as far as the Rio Grande Valley is concerned, whenever I represent South Texas College on a state and national level, is the collection and collaborative working relationships we have across the region. The panel we have hosted here today is a living testament to how we can help our communities.”

Valerio said a collaborative project begun in 2020 between STC’s Vocational Nursing Program, Associate Degree Nursing Program, Culinary Program and Kinesiology Program created a community-wide effort among school districts in rural areas of the Valley.

As a result of the project, STC was able to screen 1,500 high schoolers for early-onset diabetes. Statistics showed that while Hispanics are more 50 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, risk factors actually start at a younger age.

Representatives from local hospital systems have commended STC for the outreach among high school students.

“One of the great things that South Texas College is doing is, in recognizing that diabetes is an issue, the various departments have come together to create a program for outreach into the schools, allowing high schoolers to get tested, teaching them about nutrition and the importance of exercise,” said Tom Castañeda, STHS Director of Marketing and Communications who was also the moderator of the panel with experts. “The Valley needs more of that; just getting out into the community. Pre-diabetes is a serious issue and it affects a lot of adolescents so just getting into the schools and educating them about how to eat healthy and the importance of getting that exercise and prioritizing their health will help a great deal. If you start early, the chances that you are high that you are going to live with it for the rest of your life and that education will always resonate with you as you get older.” 

STC will next host a Diabetes Symposium free and open to the community on March 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Symposium will consist of diabetes screenings, cooking demonstrations and exercise routines available for visitors.

STC’s Kinesiology Department will be conducting the exercise demos and various departments will be on-hand to educate people on everything from mental health to proper eating habits.

“I think this partnership is key to just getting the message out,” Castañeda said. “The important thing about this symposium is just bringing the community together and raising awareness for diabetes for the entire region and really just attacking this epidemic as a group. South Texas College is an important part of that fight.”