Experts discuss relationship between education, health

Pictured is a panel discussion of the relationship between education and health, hosted by Center for Houston's Future.

The Center for Houston's Future recently brought members of the health care, business and education communities together to discuss the links between education and health.

During the discussion, which was the second installment of the center's Summer Salons series, Ken Janda, president and CEO of Community Health Choice Inc., moderated the event as a professional with more than 25 years in the managed care industry.

Conversation focused on the findings of the 2012 Community Indicator Report on Human Capital Development and Education. This report examined the strong connection between education and health as well as the role schools play in preparing children for academic success and healthy living.

"The link between education and health is irrefutable. The more education a person has, the healthier their lifestyle and the lower their health care costs. Education is the number one thing we can do to improve health across all populations ... regardless of culture, ethnicity or income, education is number one," said Dr. Patricia Gail-Bray, a panelist during the meeting, in a press release.

Also touched on during the meeting was the importance of education among mothers. According to studies, the mother's level of education determines the health of their children. Often, education is generational, the center's press release states, and the more education a mother receives, the more education their children are likely to receive.

Attendees spoke about concerns regarding both long- and short-term strategies to provide better education outcomes.

"Our region can reap benefits that result throughout our lives and society as we see that with more education come healthy communities, higher voting rates and a stronger community over all," said Paulette Wagner, in the press release.

The next discussion in the Center for Houston's Future Summer Salon series is scheduled for Aug. 18. That discussion will focus on the nationwide initiative to encourage people to return to college and complete degrees to boost regional economies.

Center for Houston's Future is a nonprofit organization that works to solve the region's toughest problems by providing research, defining strategies and engaging leaders.

To learn more, visit futurehouston.org.