Scientific Advisory Council Meets in Austin: Findings and Takeaways

Spring is a busy time at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living in the absolute best way possible. Last week, we welcomed five of the brightest minds and biggest influencers in the field of child health to Austin, our Scientific Advisory Council.

Drs. Tony Biglan, John Elder, Russell Luepker, Jim Sallis and Mary Story

During this annual event, Council Members connected with faculty, leadership and Center staff members to gain perspective, learn from each other, and enhance the Center’s development and direction. From the event, it is clear that the Center has evolved tremendously since it was formed in 2006 and will continue to expand in years to come. With growth in grant funding, publication of manuscripts, faculty size, and communications efforts, this is an undoubtedly pivotal time for the organization.

As a student fly-on-the-wall, I left the two-day event erupting with ARC pride and a heightened sense of gratitude to be studying population health in close proximity to such an innovative organization. It became quite clear: My peers and I entered the program during an exciting time for the Center, and the resources and faculty in which we are provided access give ARC students a unique edge in the field of population health.

Before the meeting, I checked-in with our SAC members on their current research projects, hopes and visions for the future of child health, impending challenges in the field, and advice to future public health professionals. The myriad of backgrounds and experience they shared opened my eyes to the diversity of potential paths, and the real challenge facing grads is deciding which topic area to choose. We asked them some fun questions, too. Here is what they said…

What research topics and/or projects are you currently working on? Which are you most excited about?

Dr. Anthony “Tony” Biglan: My recent research interests have been in youth access to alcohol and the use of social media to promote pro-social behavior. I’m most excited about my book: The Nurture Effect, scheduled to launch on March 1, 2015. www.nurtureeffect.com

Dr. James “Jim” Sallis: After 10 years of organizing an international network to study the role of built environments in physical activity and obesity, these projects are starting to produce results. We are finding that the connections between environments and these health outcomes are surprisingly similar across countries. Learn more here: www.ipenproject.org.

In which areas of child health do you hope to see the most growth in the next 5 years?

Dr. Mary Story: I hope to see the most growth in childhood obesity prevention and treatment approaches. Preventing childhood obesity has been a focus, but treating those children who are already overweight needs more attention. Also child nutrition is increasingly important, as many youth do not meet recommendations for a healthy diet. We need to focus on young children, and global issues in child health should not be overlooked.

Dr. Russell Luepker: Studies and development of education techniques for pre-school children will be a growing field. As more states, such as Minnesota, expand to full-day kindergarten and advance Head Start and similar programs, we need to better understand how to start younger children and their parents on a healthy pathway.

What will be the biggest challenge in the field of child health and disease prevention in the coming years?

Dr. John Elder: Our challenge for childhood obesity is that our messages have become too complex: we’re asking kids and parents to change a half dozen or more behaviors concurrently. We need to boil this down to effective yet simple messages.

Dr. Russell Luepker: The biggest challenge to child health and disease prevention will come from struggles over funding. The federal government is under pressure,
and few are thinking of expanding child health programs. Similarly, states and school districts are under pressure to control costs, and programs such as health education seem to go early.

Many of our Austin Regional Campus students are preparing to graduate and enter the public health workforce. What is the best piece of advice you could give to these students?

Dr. John Elder: Public health has become very popular among university students in the last 25 years or so, and the number of young people trying to enter the field continues to grow. Consider a wide range of internship and research opportunities during and even after training. Learn Spanish (or another second language) if you don’t know it. Stay up to date on technology: social media, GIS, the gamut. Don’t be geographically bound in your job search if you don’t have to be.

Dr. Jim Sallis: Develop your basic competencies in epidemiologic methods, behavioral science, measurement, evaluation, and communication. Create products, such as papers, videos, and blogs that demonstrate some of these skills.

What activities or hobbies do you enjoy the most in your free time?

Dr. Russell Luepker: I am building Era III 1945-1970 HO model railroad in a German village. It provides me with technical challenges and a source of constant entertainment for the grandchildren. I also enjoy sailing in our boat, and I hope to sail in Estonia with a friend this summer.

Dr. Mary Story: Movies, reading, cooking, travel.

Fill in the blank. You can’t leave Austin, TX, without ___.

Dr. Tony Biglan: Visiting Whole Foods.

Dr. Jim Sallis: Going to see live music and paying tribute to the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue.


Written by
Kayla Albrecht, MPH Candidate, University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin Regional Campus
Graduate Assistant, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living