The Change Engine
Health Literacy Essentials
Taking care of your health shouldn't be confusing. This path teaches you how to find a doctor, understand insurance, take care of your mental health, and eat well — even on a budget. All in plain language with Houston resources.
Beginner 120 min 4 modules
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Modules
4 modules1
Your body is already talking to you — this module teaches you how to listen.
Understanding Your Health
Learn to read nutrition labels, understand what vital signs mean, and build confidence in knowing your own body. No medical degree required — just curiosity.
TED-Ed — How to Read a Nutrition Facts Label Cleveland Clinic — Vital Signs: How to Check at Home FDA — Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label (EN/ES)Here Comes the Sun — George Harrison
30 min explainer
Objectives: Read and interpret a nutrition facts label, Know normal ranges for blood pressure and heart rate, Understand when a reading should prompt a doctor visit
2
The healthcare system makes a lot of assumptions about you. Knowing the rules of the game changes everything.
Navigating the Healthcare System
Understand how health insurance works, when to go to the ER versus urgent care, and what free or low-cost healthcare resources exist in Houston. The system was not built for everyone — but you can learn to move through it.
KFF — Health Insurance Explained (animated EN/ES) Mitchell Katz — What the US Health Care System Assumes About You (TED) HealthCare.gov — Find Free Insurance Help by ZIP CodeFight Song — Rachel Platten
30 min practical
Objectives: Explain what a premium deductible and copay are, Distinguish ER vs urgent care vs primary care, Identify at least 3 free or low-cost healthcare resources in Houston
3
You would not walk on a broken leg without help. Your mind deserves the same care.
Mental Health and Wellness
Mental health is health. This module normalizes the conversation, teaches you to recognize stress and anxiety in yourself and loved ones, and shows you exactly how to ask for help — without shame.
Brene Brown — The Power of Vulnerability (TED, Houston researcher) Psych2Go — Animated Mental Health Channel Mental Health America — Free Online Screening ToolsBreathin — Ariana Grande
30 min reflective
Objectives: Recognize common signs of stress and anxiety, Name at least 2 coping strategies, Know how and where to ask for help, Understand that seeking help is a sign of strength
4
Growing your own tomato is an act of revolution — and it only costs a dollar.
Nutrition and Movement
Eating well should not require a trust fund or a car ride across town. This module addresses food access honestly, shares practical strategies for affordable nutrition, and connects you to Houston's food assistance network.
Ron Finley — A Guerilla Gardener in South Central LA (TED) Healthy Eating Isn't Just About the Food (TED) Houston Food Bank — Nutrition & Health ProgramsGood as Hell — Lizzo (Houston native)
30 min action
Objectives: Define food desert and understand how food access affects health, Apply 3 strategies for eating healthier on a budget, Locate food assistance resources in Houston, Identify free ways to add movement to daily life
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