HHSC Shares Nutrition and Wellness Resources During Third Annual Healthy Texan Week

AUSTIN - The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is kicking off its third annual Healthy Texan Week (PDF) May 4-10 by highlighting resources that encourage Texans to embrace healthy living.

"Every day, Texans across our state are taking charge to embrace a healthy lifestyle for themselves," Gov. Greg Abbott said. "This week and every week, I encourage all Texans to make better, healthier decisions that will improve the quality of life for all Texans."

Healthy Texan Week promotes family-friendly events offering hands-on nutritional education in communities across the state.

"Helping Texans live healthier lives is central to our mission," HHS Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth said. "Healthy Texan Week shows families that small, realistic changes - like moving more or choosing healthier foods - can add up to lasting improvements in their well-being."

Healthy Texan Week is organized by HHSC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), which helps people optimize their SNAP benefits and teaches them how to plan and prepare healthy meals on a budget while staying active.

HHSC offers a variety of programs that support Texans' health at every age:

• Healthy Texas Women offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception, pregnancy tests and other women's health and family planning services to eligible, low-income women.
• Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide health coverage for low-income children, families, seniors and people with disabilities.
• The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) helps families forge healthy habits by providing nourishing food, nutrition education and breastfeeding support at no cost to eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding moms and families with children younger than 5. A full library of live and on-demand classes covers numerous topics from smart snacking to breastfeeding tips to managing stress.
• Texercise provides free physical activity and nutrition resources to educate, motivate and engage adults 45 and older.

The Texas Family Resources website includes a resource hub to help families find services like child care, child support and adoption services. Additional HHSC programs focus on managing chronic kidney disease, hemophilia,epilepsy and preventing serious health conditions.

Visit Good Food, Good Move for more information about Healthy Texan Week and how to find a local community event. To learn more about SNAP food benefits and connect to healthy recipes and other SNAP-Ed resources, visit the HHSC food services website.

Texans can also visit the HHSC website to find services that help with aging, disability, behavioral health and intellectual or developmental disabilities.