Buena Vida Program:  The Buena Vida Program works to prevent and/or reduce chronic diseases through early identification, education, counseling, and referral of diabetic, hypertensive and cancer screening.  The program provides a health awareness screening for the community which consists of a CHEM 24 blood test, for a cost of $20, which includes fasting glucose, lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL) minerals, plus liver and kidney functions.  About 500 persons per month go to the Buena Vida Clinic to be screened using the CHEM 24 blood test.

In addition, the Buena Vida Program conducts low-impact aerobics classes at many different locations throughout the city at a cost of $5 per month.  In total, about 65 classes are given per week.

During the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 (Oct. 02 to Sept. 03) the Buena Vida Program had 4, 715 new clients.  According to the CHEM 24 blood tests that are performed at the Health Department, we find that the following conditions are present in Webb County and that the percentage of clients that suffer them is usually higher in comparison to the state of Texas and the nation as a whole. 

1.  High Cholesterol/Triglycerides = 1,767patients  (37.4%)  Above state and