Help people in El Paso walk more to improve heart and metabolic health
Official title: Evidence-based intervention to improve walking engagement in El Paso, Texas
Funded at University of Texas El Paso · NIH-11310850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A workplace walking program in El Paso is helping Mexican American adults increase brisk walking to lower risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, and related metabolic problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $953,970 |
| NIH project number | 5U01MD019289-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adult Mexican American employees in the El Paso area who are not meeting activity guidelines and are at risk for diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or fatty liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
People who already get regular vigorous exercise, have health issues that make walking unsafe, or do not work for partner employers or live in the El Paso area are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project partners with employers in El Paso to offer a culturally tailored walking program that encourages regular brisk walking and other moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The program may include group walks, activity tracking, incentives, and strategies to reduce common barriers to being active. Researchers will collect data on physical activity, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and other health markers over time. Participants will be recruited through workplace wellness channels and followed for several months to see if walking habits and health measures improve.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and risk of cardiometabolic conditions by increasing regular brisk walking.
How similar studies have gone: Similar workplace and walking programs have helped some people increase activity and improve blood pressure and glucose, though results vary and culturally tailored approaches for this community are relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas El Paso
El Paso, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salinas, Jennifer J. — University of Texas El Paso
- Study coordinator: Salinas, Jennifer J.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.