Center for Healthy Living Events

2026 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Update Conference: Comprehensive Autism Care Across the Spectrum

The 2026 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Update Conference will focus on childhood autism. Children can be diagnosed with earlier than ever before. Studies of young children with autism have identified risk factors as well as possible interventions to improve outcomes. Universal autism screening leads to earlier identification of autism by an average of 2 years. However, the success of screening efforts relies not only on consistent screening at critical points in time but also on (a) healthcare providers’ placement of appropriate referrals and (b) families’ completion of those referrals.

Read More

Cardiovascular health Shapes Brain Health in a U.S. Pediatric Cohort Study

In recognition of the American Heart Month, this presentation examines how cardiovascular health influences brain structure and cognitive development in a large U.S. pediatric cohort. Using longitudinal data, we highlight how early cardiometabolic risk factors and lifestyle behaviors shape brain health during critical developmental periods, with implications for prevention and health equity.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1.  Describe the relationship between cardiovascular health and brain development in children and adolescents.
2.  Identify key cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors associated with pediatric brain health.
3.  Discuss implications for early prevention and population health strategies.

Speaker

Augusto César F. De Moraes, PhD
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology
Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin

Moderator:

Ethan Hunt, PhD
Assistant Professor in Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences
Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin

This webinar is pending review and approval for 1.0 Entry-Level CHES/MCHES® credits! The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living is a Designated Provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) for Certified Health Education Specialists/Master Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES/MCHES®) through The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC®).

Read More