UHV looks for volunteers for chronic kidney disease program
University of Houston-Victoria faculty members are preparing to hold their first meeting for a free public health program that will focus on combating chronic kidney disease, and there still is room for more participants.
The meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m. May 16 in the UHV University North Multi-Purpose Room, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. The free program will be run by The Victoria Alliance Against Chronic Kidney Disease. It will examine risk factors for chronic kidney disease and look for ways participants can lower their chances of developing kidney problems. It is funded by a $100,000 grant through Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas’ signature community investments program.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our community to learn about the risk factors of chronic kidney disease and how to prevent it,” said Michael Wiblishauser, a UHV assistant professor of health studies. “We’re hoping that our participants will follow the recommendations they receive during the monthly program meetings and experience measurable reductions in risk factors at the end of the testing period.”
Wiblishauser and Karen Carmargo, a UHV clinical assistant professor of nursing, will lead the alliance, which is a partnership with the Victoria County Public Health Department as well as Drs. Fasail N. Khan and Haresh Kumar of Victoria Nephrology Associates.
During the program, 100 volunteers will receive blood pressure and blood sugar tests at the beginning of the study. Based on the test results, participants will be placed in one of three risk categories: low, moderate or severe.
Throughout the year, participants will have access to health education sessions, including nutrition and physical activity plans, and speakers who will share information about healthy living, such as how to reduce and release stress. The participants’ blood pressure and blood glucose levels also will be tested monthly.
For more information about the program, contact Wiblishauser at 361-570-4178 or wiblishauserm@uhv.edu.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
