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New Mexico State University

Family Health & Wellness

Health is not merely the absence of disease but is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being (World Health Organization). The health of an individual and of a family is directly connected to quality of life. A goal of Extension is to promote quality of life. Thus, a Family Health and Wellness program within Extension contributes to Extension's mission. The Family Health & Wellness program aligns with the Healthy People...Healthy Communities national initiative of the USDA Cooperative State Research Education & Extension Service to "promote the capacity of individuals, families, and communities to increase healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices and make informed consumer decisions." The 3 goals of the Healthy People...Healthy Communities are to:

  1. educate and empower individuals and families to adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyles,
  2. educate consumers to make informed health and health care decisions, and
  3. build community capacity to improve health.

The Family Health and Wellness program will contribute to meeting these goals in New Mexico via services provided under this program to persons living in New Mexico.

Contact:

Department of Extension Home Economics
New Mexico State University
Cooperative Extension Service, MSC 3AE
Box 30003
Las Cruces, NM 88003-0003
Phone: 575-646-3936
Fax: 575-646-1889

Programs

Increasing Physical Activity Among New Mexicans

Whether you are an adult, adolescent or child, physical activity enhances your health, both physically and mentally. Physical activity is one of the best things a person can do for their health. Being physically active helps develop a more durable heart, veins, arteries, and muscles and also increases muscular strength and flexibility.

Youth Suicide Prevention in Schools

New Mexico youth are shooting, hanging, and poisoning themselves or finding other ways to end their lives because life has become unbearably painful for them. Many more of our youth are considering killing themselves, but have not taken that final step and are at risk for doing so.

Annual Family Impact Seminars (FIS): Education for Legislators and State Agencies on Issues that Impact New Mexico Families

While there are forums to hear the voice of lobbyists, and some mechanisms in place (e.g., bill analyses) in which legislators receive objective information on various topical issues, New Mexico does not have a medium and method to proactively provide policymakers with high quality, research-based, nonpartisan information regarding critical issues that impact families in New Mexico. The Family Impact Seminar (FIS), which brings a family perspective to policy, was initiated in New Mexico to fill this need.

General Extension Health Related Resources

For Employees