Empowering Community through Extension: Identifying Community Health and Wellness Strengths and Needs

School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University. PO Box 9745, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Tel: 662-325-6861; Fax: 662-325-8188; e-mail: jhse@ext.msstate.edu; Web site: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/

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Public Health; Rural Areas; Urban Areas; Health Education; Educational Resources; Lunch Programs; School Health Services; Mental Health; Obesity; Federal Aid; Community Education; Empowerment; Extension Education

2325-5226

Health and wellness are foundational to thriving communities, yet many Americans face barriers that impact their access to essential health education and services. This study used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to assess the perceived strengths and needs of health and wellness resources of rural and urban Texas communities. Data were collected through a statewide survey (n = 9,418), targeting key aspects of health and wellness. The results identified critical strengths, including school lunch programs and grocery stores accepting electronic benefit transfers (EBT), while reducing obesity and addressing mental health emerged as top community needs in both urban and rural areas. Rural communities showed a greater need for emergency healthcare services, whereas urban participants prioritized suicide prevention and mental health services. These findings highlight the vital role of Extension in bridging health education gaps and providing targeted programming to address diverse community needs. By leveraging its existing infrastructure, Extension can facilitate sustainable interventions, strengthen community health outcomes, and build resilience in both rural and urban populations. Future research should aim to expand these insights into broader populations and refine programming strategies.

As Provided

2025

EJ1474124