Speakers

Christiane Spitzmueller, PhD
Professor of Psychology, University of Houston

Discussion Topic: Defining and measuring employee engagement and the impact on health and well-being

Stephen H. Linder, PhD
Associate Director, Texas Medical Center’s Health Policy Institute
Founding Director, Institute for Health Policy at the UT Health School of Public Health in Houston

Discussion Topic: The Complexity of Chronic Disease Vulnerability across Houston: Implications for Employers

Description: As a part of Cities Changing Diabetes efforts in Houston, Dr. Stephen Linder with UT Health was the academic lead behind the Vulnerability Assessment. The vulnerability assessment reveals new knowledge about why some people – disadvantaged or non-disadvantaged – are vulnerable to developing type 2 diabetes by exploring some of the social and cultural factors behind vulnerability in Houston. Though the focus of this work was on diabetes risks, chronic disease risks generally have significant overlap. Dr. Linder will be sharing the findings of this seminal work and join a panel to discuss how these findings provide opportunities to uncover potential to engage employees in healthier activities.