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On Oct. 1, 2006, the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) was launched.
This week, on Oct. 1, 2026, the IHPR will celebrate its 20th anniversary as part of the Department of Population Health Sciences in the School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, under the leadership of Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez.
In the past two decades, the IHPR team has worked tirelessly to achieve its mission to improve the health of Latinos and all people through research, outreach, and action in South Texas and across the United States.
But how did it start? Who started it? Why was it needed?
Let’s answer those questions and more!
The Need for the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR)
On April 17, 2006, the Task Force on Access to Health Care in Texas released a report, Code Red: The Critical Condition of Health in Texas.
The Code Red report pointed out Texas’ rising rates of cancer and disease, low rates of education, and large percentages of residents with no health coverage — all converging to threaten the state’s economic and social future.
The report recommended improving healthcare in Texas with regional care districts, maximizing federal funding, and strengthening public health campaigns.
“Now is the time for Texas to take bold steps to address the problems associated with the lack of health insurance coverage and health care access to protect and assure the economic vitality and the health of the state,” according to the report.
“Properly implemented, these recommendations will improve the health of patients, families, institutions and communities while reducing the rise of health care costs that affects all Texans.”
The Launch of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR)
Dr. William Henrich took the Code Red report to heart.
Henrich, dean of the School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio at the time, wanted to improve health in South Texas.
So, he called Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez.
Ramirez, a pioneer in culturally relevant population health and communication research, was leading studies as a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Henrich recruited Ramirez to establish the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio on Oct. 1, 2006.
The aim was to address critical needs identified in Code Red in South Texas and beyond.
“From Day 1, Dr. Henrich shared with me the importance of compassionately serving our South Texas community,” Ramirez said. “Not only enhancing and improving our services, but he wanted to ensure our services were shaped by the voice and needs of the community to maximize our impact.”
The Mission of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR)
The IHPR’s mission is to investigate causes of and solutions to cancer and chronic disease to improve the health of the South Texas population and the rest of Texas and nation.
Since its founding, the IHPR has been directed by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez.
Ramirez is currently chair and professor of population health sciences at UT Health San Antonio and associate director of community outreach and engagement at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, an NCI-designated Cancer Center.
The IHPR’s deputy director is Dr. Rebecca Jones and the faculty includes Dr. Patricia Chalela, who has been with IHPR since its inception, and Dr. Derek Rodriguez.
The team has created dozens of large-scale collaborative research studies and clinical trials that engage the community with communication for positive behavior and system changes to prevent obesity, cancer, and chronic disease.
“Our research is rooted in the communities we serve and driven by the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthier life,” Ramirez said.
The Health Programs of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR)
In the past 20 years, the IHPR team has reduced Latino health challenges and helped people get cancer screening, decide to join a clinical trial, quit smoking, and more.
The IHPR’s national media organization, Salud America!, fuels its network of over 400,000 health advocates with culturally relevant content and action tools to address the non-medical drivers of health and build healthier communities across the nation.
Other IHPR programs include:
Avanzando Caminos (Leading Pathways) is a six-year observational study that is enrolling 3,000 Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors in South Texas and South Florida.
Quitxt is a free texting service on your phone with online support in English or Spanish to help South Texans quit smoking.
The Avanzando Salud Center is pioneering innovative methods to promote health and improve cancer outcomes in South Texas and beyond.
The Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All People (ACRLP) conference series aims to unite researchers, physicians, patients, and leaders to better understand the cancer burden of the community and solutions to advance health for all people.
IHPR also helps lead the Community Outreach and Education (COE) program of the NCI-designated Mays Cancer Center, which involves efforts involve in-person and virtual community education to increase awareness and action around key health issues affecting the community.
“We aim to build knowledge that sets the stage for healthier lives, stronger communities, and brighter futures for all people,” Ramirez said.
The Research of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR)
Over its history, the IHPR has made quite an impact on the scientific community, too.
IHPR researchers have contributed over 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals, from assessing the success of tobacco prevention campaigns to understanding the drivers of the Latino cancer burden to proving the value of digital content curation.
That scholarship stems from over 200 research projects with over $65 million in funding over the years.
“We have a passion for transforming questions into programs and projects that can lead people to healthier lives,” Ramirez said.
The Training Activities of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR)
For 20 years, the IHPR has been committed not only to advancing research and improving the health of our communities, but also to training and mentoring the next generation of public health and health promotion researchers and professionals.
IHPR faculty and research teams have collectively mentored and trained more than 200 research interns and trainees at different stages of their educational and professional journeys. These have included doctoral and master’s students, undergraduate students, community health workers (CHWs), and high school students from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.
“Through our IHPR Internship Program, trainees gain meaningful, hands-on experience working alongside faculty, investigators, research coordinators, and multidisciplinary research teams,” Ramirez said.
Interns and trainees are exposed to the full research process and may participate in research study implementation, participant recruitment and retention, data collection and management, literature reviews, survey development, health communication, community outreach and education, patient navigation, and the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials.
“For many, their experience at IHPR represents an important early step in discovering an interest in research, public health, health care, or community service and in envisioning themselves as future professionals and leaders in these fields,” Ramirez said.
20 Years of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR)
Ramirez remains grateful to the late Henrich for his initial vision after the Code Red report.
Henrich died on March 14, 2024.
“None of IHPR’s accomplishments are possible without Dr. Henrich,” she said.
“He was a man of faith and a very special person with a big heart. He recognized the importance of reaching all our populations with fairness in health care. He always had the time to take my call and engage in conversations and to help find ways to support our efforts. His special smile and encouragement always made us want to do more.”
Ramirez said leading the IHPR has been a rewarding journey.
“What fills me with the greatest pride isn’t just the research or programs we’ve created. It’s students who go on to become leaders. Colleagues who inspire me every day with their passion. Community members who trust us to tell their stories. Decision-makers and funders who listen and respond with support to improve health.
“We remain as committed as ever. And I remain as hopeful today as I was when we first began the IHPR that we will achieve even healthier communities for all.”
Read the IHPR’s 20th anniversary booklet!
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of stories and videos celebrating the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio on Oct. 1, 2006.
By The Numbers
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