HOUSTON and BEAUMONT, TEXAS — In a groundbreaking initiative to bolster community health and mitigate cancer risks in East Texas, a collaborative effort has emerged involving local leaders in Beaumont and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, propelled by a significant $10 million donation from ExxonMobil. This ambitious program, termed Be Well™ Beaumont, was officially announced during a launch event in Beaumont, marking the beginning of a transformative 10-year endeavor.
The Be Well Beaumont initiative is strategically designed to foster wellness and promote cancer prevention by equipping local residents with educational resources and tools necessary for mitigating cancer risks. This new program builds upon the success of Be Well™ Baytown, MD Anderson’s inaugural initiative, which has been funded by ExxonMobil since its inception in 2016. With more than 80% of Baytown’s residents engaged, the previous program has successfully imparted wellness strategies through collaborations with over 20 local organizations, demonstrating the effectiveness of community-focused health interventions.
According to Darren Woods, the chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, the Baytown initiative has showcased the power of partnership between outstanding organizations to bring about notable health benefits. With this collaboration, MD Anderson and ExxonMobil aim to replicate the success witnessed in Baytown by tailoring their efforts to meet the unique needs of the Beaumont community. By leveraging their resources and expertise, both organizations aspire to facilitate systemic changes in health and wellness practices that will ultimately benefit residents for years to come.
Central to this initiative is MD Anderson’s comprehensive approach to cancer prevention, aptly named Be Well Communities™. This approach emphasizes a place-based strategy that effectively merges a diverse array of stakeholders, including individuals, educational institutions, employers, government entities, health care providers, and policymakers, all working cohesively to create sustainable and impactful community-driven solutions. This multi-faceted network is vital to ensuring that the benefits of the program are long-lasting and resonate deeply within the community.
Dr. Peter WT Pisters, president of MD Anderson, underscored the organization’s commitment to cancer prevention as a fundamental aspect of their mission. He expressed gratitude towards ExxonMobil for their ongoing support, recognizing the potential of such collaborations to instigate meaningful changes that reduce cancer risks. By aligning resources and knowledge, both organizations champion a holistic approach to health that goes beyond conventional treatment paradigms to encompass preventive measures.
Research underscores that a significant proportion of cancer cases—estimated at up to 50%—may be preventable through dedicated lifestyle modifications. These modifications encompass a range of health-promoting behaviors, such as engaging in regular physical activity, abstaining from tobacco products, moderating alcohol consumption, following a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, protecting skin from excessive sun exposure, and adhering to recommended cancer screening protocols. Furthermore, an ongoing dialogue between patients and their healthcare practitioners regarding family medical histories can provide crucial context for personalized preventive care.
The framework of MD Anderson’s Be Well Communities is informed by a century’s worth of research and best practices in promoting healthy communities. This methodology involves equipping local organizations with the necessary tools to deliver evidence-based interventions, ensuring they can effectively evaluate and refine their efforts over time. The establishment of this capacity-building model serves as a cornerstone for fostering community resilience and empowering residents to take charge of their health.
Over the next decade, MD Anderson, in collaboration with ExxonMobil, intends to forge robust connections within the Beaumont community. Their objectives include advancing critical professional and policy changes that facilitate improved health outcomes. Additionally, the formation of an active health coalition, along with a sustainability plan that transitions responsibility to community stakeholders, will promote continued investment in health initiatives beyond the life of the program.
Dr. Ruth Rechis, the interim executive director of MD Anderson’s cancer prevention and control platform, expressed enthusiasm regarding their partnership with Beaumont’s leaders. She emphasized the privilege of collaborating with local stakeholders to enact substantial changes in community health norms. The initiative promises to facilitate a deep engagement with residents, fostering meaningful relationships that can drive lasting health improvements.
Be Well Beaumont will focus its efforts in several key areas, each aimed at enhancing community wellbeing. Programs revolving around healthy eating will prioritize increasing access to nutritious food and providing essential nutrition education to residents. In parallel, initiatives centered on active living will work to boost participation in physical activities, ensuring that local parks and public spaces promote safe and enjoyable environments for exercise and outdoor enjoyment.
The program also emphasizes sun safety awareness, which will include educational components and the installation of sunshades across public spaces to protect residents from harmful UV exposure. In line with this, tobacco-free living initiatives will seek to educate the public on the risks associated with tobacco use and emerging trends such as vaping, leveraging evidence-based methods to foster healthier lifestyle choices.
Last but not least, the initiative will enhance access to preventive care services, specifically focusing on increasing availability for cancer screenings and promoting vaccination against HPV. Through this multifaceted approach, Be Well Beaumont aims to address the diverse health needs of the community comprehensively.
As this promising initiative unfolds over the coming years with ExxonMobil’s generous $10 million commitment, it is designed to create a scalable model for social transformation in community health. By 2034, the leadership and stewardship of Be Well Beaumont will transition fully to local stakeholders, ensuring that the benefits of the initiative endure long into the future.
In conclusion, the collaborative venture underpinned by advanced cancer prevention strategies seeks to make a tangible difference in the lives of Beaumont residents. As the program progresses, it will undoubtedly serve as a benchmark for similar initiatives across the country, illustrating the profound impact of partnership, community engagement, and the unwavering pursuit of wellness.
Subject of Research: Cancer Prevention and Community Health Initiatives
Article Title: Be Well™ Beaumont: A New Era in Community Health and Cancer Prevention
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Image Credits: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Keywords: cancer prevention, public health, community health initiatives, Be Well Beaumont, ExxonMobil, MD Anderson, lifestyle choices
