Greater Houston Region

Fort Bend  *  Harris  *  Montgomery  *  Waller

Greater Houston Region

Advancing Health Equity Through Education and Community Partnerships

Since 1994, the Texas AHEC East – Greater Houston Region has been dedicated to improving the health of urban and high-needs communities across Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Waller Counties.

Through collaboration with local health systems, universities, and community organizations, we develop innovative health education and workforce development programs that bridge gaps in care and create healthier communities.

Our Programs

MSEARCH (Mobile Systems Education and Resources for Consumer Health)

Partner: U.S. National Library of Medicine / South Central Region

MSEARCH is an electronic skill-building program that teaches seniors how to access and navigate trusted health information on the National Library of Medicine’s websites using mobile technology.

In partnership with the City of Houston Health Department and Neighborhood Centers Inc., we provide outreach and training to older adults in the community. Building on the success of our earlier program—Operation CLICKS (Computer Literacy Increasing Consumer Knowledge for Seniors)—we’ve helped more than 270 seniors from 14 organizations gain the digital skills needed to find credible online health information.

All of Us Research Program

Partner: U.S. National Library of Medicine / South Central Region

The All of Us Research Program is part of the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI)—a national effort that brings together patients, researchers, and healthcare providers to develop personalized care strategies.

Through our collaboration, we help expand awareness and community engagement in this groundbreaking initiative, supporting a future where medical care is tailored to individual needs, lifestyles, and genetics.

University of Texas Health Houston – School of Nursing

We are proud to partner with the UTHealth Houston School of Nursing to create community-based service learning experiences. Since 2012, more than 150 nursing students have engaged in real-world projects that integrate classroom learning with community impact.

Student-led initiatives include:

  • Operation CLICKS and MSEARCH: Teaching seniors computer and mobile literacy to access reliable online health information.

  • Senior Wellness Program: Promoting healthy lifestyles, independence, and well-being among adults over 55 through evidence-based activities.

  • Sunnyside Update: Conducting a community health needs assessment with 850 residents in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood—a high-needs community affected by limited access to healthy food, chronic disease, and socioeconomic challenges. The findings guide our outreach and education strategies.

Community Health Worker (CHW) Training & Certification

The Greater Houston Region offers Community Health Worker (CHW) and CHW Instructor Certification Courses, authorized by the Texas Department of State Health Services under Senate Bill 1051.

As part of the statewide Promotor(a) / Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program, we support the development of skilled CHWs who strengthen health education, access, and equity in their communities.

Our continuing education opportunities further equip CHWs and instructors to serve effectively and lead health promotion efforts throughout the region.

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Mobile Systems Education and Resources for Consumer Health (MSEARCH BYOD) electronic skill-building program focused on educating seniors’ in Harris county on basic tablet user skills and how to navigate National Libraries of Medicine (NLM) health information resources using mobile tablet device technology.  AHEC has partnered with Baker Ripley Inc., The University of Texas School of Nursing, and the NLM to provide classes at 3 area Senior Centers.
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Texas AHEC East - Greater Houston Region, the Houston Business Coalition on Health (HBCH), and Cities Changing Diabetes are working together to increase awareness and capacity for the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) – an evidenced-based, cost-effective lifestyle change intervention, designed for people with prediabetes. Through support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), we are working to draft and implement an operational plan to increase availability, screening/testing/referral, and coverage the NDPP throughout the Greater Houston area. The NDPP provides a proven model for Houston area employers, payers, health systems, community organizations, and DPP providers to utilize to help prevent diabetes (American Medical Association). For more information, please refer to the following resources.
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Texas AHEC East Greater Houston Region and The Waller County Alliance for Lifestyle Choices coalition (WALC) received grant funding from the Department of State Health Services known as “Tobacco Prevention Control Coalition” (TPCC).  The funding created an opportunity for Junior High and High School children to become community liaisons in efforts to eliminate the use of tobacco because it is the leading preventable cause of illness and death in America.  Heart disease and stroke is the number one illness caused by smoking. 
Alex Reyna

Alexander Reyna, Jr.
Executive Director

4014 Market Street, Suite W111
Houston, TX 77020

Phone: 713/592-6411, Ext. 14
Email: alex.reyna@txaheceast.org

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