Chronic Disease Prevention and Management
In FY 2025, AgriLife Extension Family and Community Health educators and volunteers conducted more than 2,200 educational events focused on preventing and managing deadly and costly chronic diseases, resulting in over 124,700 direct contacts. The following programs illustrate the breadth and depth of offerings across the state.
Diabetes Management
AgriLife Extension’s diabetes programming educates Texans on diabetes prevention and management. With an estimated 7.1 million Texans living with prediabetes and 3.1 million diagnosed with diabetes, the annual cost of diabetes care in Texas totals approximately $34.3 billion. Extension’s diabetes programs emphasize effective disease management to reduce health care costs and improve quality of life. Programs such as Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes, ¡Sí Yo Puedo!, and Wisdom, Power, Control support improved blood glucose management through comprehensive, evidence-based curricula aligned with national standards of care. In FY 2025, an evaluation study of 295 participants who completed a diabetes education series demonstrated significant improvements in confidence and diabetes self-care behaviors. Participants gained the knowledge and skills needed to better manage diabetes and reduce their risk of disease-related complications.
Cooking Well Programs
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service developed the Cooking Well programs as an educational approach to preventing diet-related chronic diseases across Texas. Through hands-on recipe demonstrations, the four Cooking Well programs build participants’ confidence in healthy food preparation skills, addressing topics such as diabetes management, healthy blood pressure, culturally relevant cuisines, and safe meal preparation. In FY 2025, 2,080 individuals participated in Cooking Well programs statewide. The programs effectively met participant needs, with 98.1% (n = 1,471) reporting that they or their families benefited from participation, and 99.2% of respondents (n = 1,648) indicating they would recommend the program to others. Participants also reported meaningful behavior change.
Nearly half (47.8%, n = 756) increased their confidence in preparing meals and snacks at home, while 44.0% (n = 702) reported greater confidence in modifying recipes to reduce salt, sugar, and fat. In addition, post-program outcomes showed increased daily fruit consumption among 41.5% of participants (n = 670) and increased vegetable consumption among 42.9% (n = 687).
This is the first time I have understood what diabetes is, how it affects my body, and what I can do to control it.”
HealthTalk Express
The HealthTalk Express program delivers concise health presentations—30 minutes or less—using a persuasive public speaking approach to inform community members about important health topics and empower them to take action. The program helps Texans understand their health risks and motivates them to make healthy choices that improve quality of life and reduce the likelihood of developing chronic disease. Program modules address a range of topics, including diabetes prevention, stress reduction, and maintaining a healthy life balance. In FY 2025, HealthTalk Express reached 885 adults across 31 Texas counties. Program outcomes demonstrate strong intent to change behavior, with 89% of participants indicating they plan to take future action to prevent chronic disease and 97% reporting they intend to use the information to improve their personal health.
Weight Management and Healthy Lifestyle Programs
AgriLife Extension offers several evidence-based programs designed to help participants manage their weight through the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors. Participants receive support from Extension agents as they set goals, monitor progress, and build skills related to physical activity and nutrition for improved health. In FY 2025, 722 individuals actively participated in the Step Up, Scale Down and Maintain No Gain programs. Among participants, 272 reported weight loss during the program, with an average loss of 7.6 pounds. The programs effectively met participant needs. Of those responding to a post-program survey, 95.8% (n = 459) reported that they or their families benefited from participation,
and 99.2% (n = 480) indicated they would recommend the program to others. In addition, 153 participants (31%) self-reported improvements in their overall health following program completion.
I thought this session was wonderful. I’ve dealt with anxiety and depression and I’ve learned that being outdoors in nature . . . I always feel better. Find it my safe space and my anxiety and depression goes down. Being outdoors is my safe and calming space.”
Very informative and helpful. I enjoyed the discussion and the slides were great.”