About The Social & Health Research Center

“The Social & Health Research Center is a non-profit organization committed to
the social and health well-being of populations at risk”

The Social & Health Research Center is a non-profit center committed to the social and health well-being of populations at-risk. The S&HRC was founded in 1991 and incorporated as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt entity in 1995. In 1992 the S&HRC conducted the Mexican-American Metabolic Study, a community-based study aimed at analyzing implied relationships between diabetes and sociological factors. Studies by the S&HRC have reported significant relationships between diabetes and overweight; diabetes and low educational attainment; and diabetes and low socioeconomic status. Identifying potential causal factors for diabetes was the initial purpose of the S&HRC. The purpose now is to implement a program that can reduce or prevent diabetes risk factors in youth from populations at-risk.

The S&HRC operates The Bienestar Health Program in San Antonio, TX low-income neighborhoods. The Bienestar Health Program is a bilingual school-based health program that aims to decrease dietary fat, to increase physical fitness levels, to prevent obesity, and to prevent diabetes. The program is research-based and implements kinder through fifth grade learning activities from a Social Cognitive Theory. The children learn these health behaviors through four health programs: The Bienestar Health and P.E. Curriculum, The After School Health Club, the Parent and Community Program, and the Cafeteria Program. With these programs, the children have shown to learn the importance of cutting down on fatty foods, increasing fiber intake, and exercising regularly. The Bienestar Health Program has had significant results and hopes to continue improving children's health education. The Bienestar Health Program is the only health program in Texas shown to modify the behavioral and biological risk factors associated with diabetes in at-risk children.