Be Well Baytown Overview
Be Well Baytown
Be Well™ Baytown is an initiative of MD Anderson sponsored by ExxonMobil. We aim to mobilize the community to promote wellness and stop cancer before it starts.
The initiative unites partners to carry out community-led solutions that will make positive, long-lasting changes in people's lives.
We work collaboratively with residents and community-based organizations to implement evidence-based strategies that can reduce the risk of cancer with a focus on five key areas:
We are building a healthier community together!
Our Current Activities
Healthy Eating and Active Living
- Hearts and Hands of Baytown, a ministry of Iglesia Cristo Viene and United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County host mobile food fairs to increase access to healthy food, mentor local food pantries to offer healthy options to clients, and help people eat healthy for life.
- Goose Creek CISD is a CATCH® district that supports healthy eating for the whole family. They also installed safe walking trails for the community, open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends, and during after school hours on weekdays at the following locations and times:
- George Washington Carver Elementary: 4:30 –7:30 p.m.
- Harlem Elementary: 4:30–7:30 p.m.
- James Bowie Elementary: 4:30–7:30 p.m.
- Mirabeau B. Lamar Elementary: 4:30–7:30 p.m.
- The City of Baytown Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) promotes active living in the community by hosting events open to the public and implementing a physical activity campaign.
- Baytown PARD launched the Baytown Moves campaign to promote trails, fitness classes and other amenities in the community.
Sun Safety
- Goose Creek CISD increased shade areas on school grounds and implemented a district-wide policy and programming to promote sun-safe behaviors and education year-round for both students and employees.
- The City of Baytown Parks and Recreation Department is hosting education sessions for employees and enhancing the city parks by installing shade structures and increasing natural shade.
Tobacco-Free Living
- MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Training Program (TTTP) is offered to health care providers and professionals in the community, helping them become tobacco cessation ambassadors in their organizations. To register or apply for a scholarship to cover course fees, please contact CTTS@MDAnderson.org.
Preventive Care
- Chambers Health will implement the cancer screening campaign to bring awareness about colorectal, breast and cervical cancer. In addition, they are increasing patient screening for social determinants of health (SDoH) needs across its three clinic locations. The Chambers Cares program team, composed of Community Health Workers, provide support and connect patients and families to available resources when a SDoH need is identified on screening.
Steering Committee
We engage representatives from community-based organizations to form a steering committee that guides planning and implementation. Current steering committee members represent the following organizations:
- Chambers County Public Health Department
- Chambers Health
- City of Baytown
- Communities in Schools Baytown
- ExxonMobil
- First3Years: Babies in Baytown
- Fred Aguilar Promise Center
- Goose Creek CISD
- Harris Health
- Hearts and Hands of Baytown
- Houston Food Bank
- Lee College
- Southeast Harris Community Coalition, a program of the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol (BACODA)
- Talent Yield Coalition sponsor of Marcelous-Williams Resource Center
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- United Way of Greater Baytown Area & Chambers County
- UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
Be Well Baytown is an influencer in our community across a wide range of health-related initiatives that are leading to long-lasting positive changes in people’s lives. It is a stunning example of what can be accomplished when a plan is developed, nurtured and implemented with excellence.
5 simple ways to get involved
- Attend a mobile food fair organized by Hearts and Hands of Baytown.
- Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by using one of the many sun shades located at city parks and Lee College.
- Ask your Goose Creek CISD school about their CATCH family nights.
- Visit a Baytown park or check out the exercise equipment at Jenkins Park.
- Be a part of Be Well Baytown and spread the word by promoting health and wellness: #BeWellBaytown.
Be Well Baytown in Action
Kids get moving with POUND fitness during Be Well Baytown Day
Chambers Health celebrating breast cancer awareness
Community residents enjoying the fitness court at Jenkins Park
GCCISD Tennis Team wearing sun protective shirts
Hearts and Hands of Baytown team practicing sun safety during food distribution events
Sunshades installed at Lee College
Lifeguard at Pirates Bay practicing sun safety
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For more information, email us at BeWellCommunities@MDAnderson.org