Improving walking habits among school employees in El Paso, Texas
Official title: Evidence-based intervention to improve walking engagement in El Paso, Texas
Funded at University of Texas El Paso · NIH-10929295 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping school employees in El Paso, especially those in the Mexican American community, to walk more and stay healthy by joining a fun walking challenge called 50K4Life, where they aim to take at least 7,000 steps a day!
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 | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $975,360 |
| NIH project number | 5U01MD019289-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929295 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are school district employees in El Paso, particularly those who are Mexican American and may benefit from increased physical activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not employed by the participating school districts or those who are unable to engage in physical activity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance walking engagement among school district employees in El Paso, Texas, particularly focusing on the Mexican American community, which faces higher risks of cardiometabolic diseases. The project will implement an employer-based walking challenge called 50K4Life, encouraging participants to achieve at least 7,000 steps per day. The intervention will be tested through a randomized trial involving 30 public schools, utilizing strategies such as SMS text messaging and tailored adaptations based on initial responses. By addressing barriers to physical activity in the workplace, the study seeks to promote healthier lifestyles among participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases for participants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that employer-based wellness programs can effectively increase physical activity levels, suggesting potential success for this approach.
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.