Cancer prevention advances our mission
Be Well Communities
Cancer prevention is a cornerstone of MD Anderson’s mission to eliminate cancer. Research estimates that up to half of cancer cases in the United States could be prevented at a population level. MD Anderson supports community-led efforts that can directly impact cancer risk reduction.
Our Approach
Be Well Communities™ is MD Anderson's place-based strategy for comprehensive cancer prevention and control, working with communities to promote wellness and stop cancer before it starts. We unite individuals, schools, workplaces, government agencies, health care providers and policymakers to plan and carry out sustainable, community-led solutions that will make positive, long-lasting changes in people’s lives.
Be Well Communities is an initiative of the Cancer Prevention and Control Platform.
We work collaboratively with residents and community-based organizations to implement evidence-based strategies that can reduce the risk of cancer with a focus on five key areas:
Our Model
Be Well Communities is built on 100 years of healthy community initiative best practices, literature and experience. The model centers on working with community-based organizations to build their capacity to deliver and evaluate evidence-based interventions. We create strong community linkages, advance professional and policy changes, establish an active health coalition, and create a sustainability plan to transition the initiative to the community.
Our Impact
Together with strong community partners, this work is already making tangible differences in communities across the Greater Houston Area.
More than 50 local, regional and state organizations are actively engaged on Be Well Communities steering committees, guiding the implementation of each action plan in partnership with residents in each community.
Since 2017, key milestones included:
- Built capacity of community partners to increase access to healthy eating:
- Over 19 million pounds of healthy food have been distributed to families
- Invested in built environment and integrated active living into communities:
- 82 sunshades and non-permanent umbrellas have been installed at city parks, schools and college campuses
- 89,000+ students have participated in school-based health and physical activity programs
- Prioritized actions to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases:
- 12,000+ community members have received tobacco-free resources
- 57 school-based and community-based clinics provided 1,717 free immunizations to adolescents, including the HPV vaccine
- Over 5,800 cancer screenings have been provided
Be Well Communities Overview Card
Current Communities
Be Well™ Beaumont
Be Well Beaumont is an initiative of MD Anderson Cancer Center sponsored by ExxonMobil. Launched in 2025, this initiative was made possible through a philanthropic investment from ExxonMobil to MD Anderson to improve public health and stop cancer before it starts in Beaumont, Texas.
Learn more about the launch of Be Well Beaumont.
Be Well™ Acres Homes
Be Well Acres Homes is an initiative of MD Anderson in collaboration with Harris Health System, Memorial Hermann Community Benefit Corporation, UTHealth and more than 30 community organizations united together with residents of Acres Homes. This initiative began in 2020 and was made possible through philanthropic investments from MD Anderson.
Learn more about Be Well Acres Homes.
Be Well™ Baytown
In 2016, MD Anderson united with the community of Baytown, Texas, to launch the first, most comprehensive, community-driven health initiative of its kind in the state of Texas. This initiative was made possible through a philanthropic investment from ExxonMobil to MD Anderson to benefit a Houston-area community.
Learn more about Be Well Baytown.
Pasadena Vibrant Community
In 2016, MD Anderson united with the community of Pasadena, Texas, to mobilize health and wellness in the community. This initiative was made possible by investment from and collaboration with Shell USA Inc. As of 2021, this initiative has transitioned to the sustainability phase, and 90% of all interventions have been completed or integrated into the collaborating organizations’ strategic plan for ongoing implementation.
Learn more about the impact of this initiative.
A community-based approach to cancer...
“Every community is unique,” says Ruth Rechis, Ph.D., director of Be Well Communities™, MD Anderson’s place-based strategy for cancer prevention and control.
Building on MD Anderson’s decades at the forefront of cancer prevention research, Be Well Communities uses best practices to deploy science-based cancer prevention strategies to communities with the greatest need. It brings individuals and organizations together to promote...
Taking it to the streets
When U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, M.D., visited MD Anderson last December, he urged the institution’s health care professionals to not only work toward developing new cancer treatments, but also to direct their efforts at preventing cancer wherever possible.
Ernest Hawk, M.D., vice president and division head of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, understands well how prevention efforts can save lives.
“It’s estimated that...
Be Well Communities has provided multi-component interventions and collaborations that have a positive health outcome for our 4,000 faculty and staff, but is reflected in the entire community at large.
For more information, email us at BeWellCommunities@MDAnderson.org