Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! has boosted health for nearly a decade in these coastal towns, but funding concerns cast doubt on its future.

“Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta!” means “Your Health Counts!” — and for more than two decades, the Rio Grande Valley has been home to this grassroots health campaign designed to improve nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness. What started in Brownsville under the UTHealth School of Public Health has since spread to neighboring communities, including Port Isabel and Laguna Vista, where it continues to encourage families to take charge of their health.

The program began in the early 2000s, when researchers at the UTHealth Brownsville campus sounded the alarm about the Valley’s high rates of diabetes and obesity. At that time, nearly one in three adults in Cameron County had diabetes or prediabetes, and obesity rates were well above state and national averages. Many families lacked health insurance, regular access to doctors, or even safe sidewalks and parks.

It was first funded through federal research grants awarded to UTHealth School of Public Health, particularly from the National Institutes of Health’s Minority Health and Health Disparities initiative.

Early efforts included Spanish-language campaigns on TV, radio, and in newsletters, paired with promotoras — community health workers who visited families to share practical tips on nutrition and exercise. Between 2005 and 2010, the campaign was formally studied and shown to help families improve habits and reduce waistlines.

From there, Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! expanded into a multi-city initiative offering free exercise classes, nutrition lessons, walking groups, and outreach through promotoras. In Brownsville, sidewalks and parks were improved with its support. Other Valley communities, including Hidalgo, Brooks, Duval, Willacy, and Cameron counties, added local programs.

Compared to Brownsville, where the program has been active for nearly 20 years, Port Isabel and Laguna Vista joined later. Local mentions date back to 2014–2015, when Laguna Vista promoted a “Lose Weight Challenge” tied to the campaign. Recent city reports confirm that the program continues here today, offering classes and resources tailored to coastal families.

Local Zumba instructor Martha Campos has witnessed the program’s growth. “When I started working for Laguna Vista about 10 years ago, I didn’t realize that the classes were part of Tu Salud Sí Cuenta — I was simply being paid to teach. Later, UTHealth Houston contacted me directly to officially hire me as an exercise instructor for the Tu Salud Sí Cuenta program.”

The program’s Spanish title is more than a slogan — it is a promise. “Tu Salud” translates to “Your Health,” while “¡Sí Cuenta!” means “It really counts” or “It matters.” Together, the phrase reminds residents that every health decision matters, from eating more vegetables to taking a daily walk.

This month, Harlingen commissioners approved $100,000 in funding for Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! there. While that is good news for Harlingen, it does not mean the same support is available in other Valley cities. The program’s future is not guaranteed everywhere it operates. Without commitments in other communities the program could dissolve.

Local advocates in Laguna Vista have voiced concern and reached out to the city manager to request the issue be put on next month’s Town Hall agenda. The participants are planning on attending the meeting to see if City Council members willl vote to provide funding for the morning Zumba in Roloff park. There is no official news of participants and advocates doing the same in Port Isabel.

The stakes are high: the Rio Grande Valley has some of the nation’s highest rates of diabetes and obesity. Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! has proven that community-based education, exercise opportunities, and health advocacy can make a measurable impact.

For Laguna Vista the message is clear. The program has made a difference for nearly a decade, offering wellness services and a way for residents to connect and build lasting friendships. Its continuation now depends on whether leaders and residents rally behind the belief at the heart of its name: your health counts.

Valley Health by the Numbers

• Diabetes: Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the Rio Grande Valley has diabetes or prediabetes.
• Obesity: About 40% of adults in Cameron and Hidalgo counties are obese.
• Costs: Diabetes care in Texas tops $5 billion annually.
• Activity: Fewer than 25% of residents meet recommended weekly activity levels.
• Reach: The program has served tens of thousands of residents since its launch