Marilyn Harrington, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Professions, made a presentation to Leadership Laredo April 8 explaining the need for more health professionals in Webb County.
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Obesity is expected to grow by more than 500 percent among Texas Hispanics over the next 30 years, while the number of unfilled health care positions is expected to grow by as much as 56 percent in certain fields by as early as 2016.

These statistics were presented to future leaders of Laredo April 8 by Marilyn Harrington, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Professions at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dean Harrington, Elmo Lopez, chief executive officer of Doctors Hospital of Laredo, and Tim Schmidt, CEO of Laredo Medical Center, spoke on “The State of Our Health Care” at an evening meeting of Leadership Laredo.

Obesity and other chronic diseases expected to increase
“The obesity epidemic is expected to hit everyone hard if we continue our current eating and activity habits, but Hispanics are especially at risk,” Dean Harrington said in an interview. She cited statistics from the Office of the State Demographer that show:

• 1.7 million Texas Hispanics were obese, according to 2005 figures. That number is expected to rise by 534 percent to 9.4 million in 2040


• 733,185 blacks were considered obese in 2005. In 2040, 1.4 million blacks are projected to be obese, a 95 percent increase.


• 2.1 million white were obese in 2005, compared to a projected 26 percent increase to 2.9 million by 2040.

Chronic diseases linked to obesity include diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac disease and asthma, she said, adding, “These alarming statistics illustrate the major health concerns facing Texas and especially South Texas, where Hispanics are clearly the majority.”

Significantly more health care providers needed as early as 2016
The heart of Dean Harrington’s talk, however, focused on the increasing need for health care providers. By 2016, she said 56 percent of positions for clinical laboratory scientists will go vacant, 51 percent of occupational therapy positions will not be filled, 47 percent of respiratory therapy and 38 percent of emergency medical technician/paramedic jobs will be vacant, according to Texas Workforce Commission data comparing 2006 figures to 10-year projections.

Webb County is already below the state average in health providers
In Webb County, those numbers are even worse. Webb County has fewer health professionals per 100,000 people in all categories of health care providers compared to Texas’ ratios. For example, in Webb County, there are 10 dieticians, 7 occupational therapists, 2 physician assistants and .2 psychiatrists per 100,000 people in Webb County, compared to 16 dieticians, 25 occupational therapists, 17 physician assistants and 6.7 psychiatrists on average in Texas,” Dr. Harrington said.

Health professions degrees offered through the Laredo Campus Extension
“This is where the University of Texas Health Science Center can help. We offer a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in dietetics and nutrition, a master’s degree in physician assistant studies and a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care through our Laredo Campus Extension,” Dean Harrington said. Eight more degree programs are offered through the Health Science Center’s San Antonio campus.

Collaborations and partnerships can help solve challenges
“We’re here to work with Laredo Leadership and help in any way we can,” Dr. Harrington said. She also challenged the future leaders of Laredo to use collaboration and partnerships among public and private agencies to help solve the health challenges of the future.

“Laredo is a fast-growing city that needs more health care providers to assure the healthy, long lives of its citizens,” she said. “Together, city and county leadership, hospitals, health departments, professional associations and consumers can prevent disease and advance the health of all.”