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By Moises Arjona Jr.

Regardless of your politics or feelings toward Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., most of us can get behind the concept of “Make America Healthy Again.” Everyone wants healthier communities for their neighbors and their families.

But in communities like mine in the Rio Grande Valley, we have to ask an honest question: How can we achieve this goal when so many of us are battling the triple-threat of sugar addiction, chronic disease, and economic hardship all at once?

I am in a sticky situation here, my entire world at Unidos Contra La Diabetes revolves around awareness, prevention and the reduction of new cases of type 2 diabetes, but I struggle daily with my own personal sugar addition. Any chance or any excuse that I can find to get a slice of cake, I am going to take it. 

Through our work at Unidos Contra La Diabetes, we see firsthand the scale of the challenge. The Rio Grande Valley has some of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in Texas. Approximately 47% of residents are obese, compared to 34% nationally, and more than 30% are living with type 2 diabetes—nearly three times the national average. These are not just numbers; they represent families, maybe your family, struggling every day to manage chronic illness.

The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage increased consumption of foods such as full-fat dairy, meats, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, and avocados. While these recommendations may work in some contexts, they do not reflect the realities of high-risk communities like ours. Many individuals living with diabetes are also managing related conditions—high blood pressure, heart disease, fatty liver, kidney disease, and sleep apnea, to name a few. For these patients, consuming diets high in saturated fats may significantly worsen underlying health issues and potentially accelerate disease progression, leading to harmful health outcomes.

Another concern is the recommendation to limit or eliminate non-nutritive sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame. While questions remain about the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners, what is the safer alternative for individuals already struggling with sugar dependence? 

In at risk communities, many people turn to “natural” sweeteners like honey, believing they are making a healthier choice, but the reality is that these options still cause significant spikes in blood glucose levels. Without proper education, these substitutions will and often do unintentionally worsen for people working on diabetes management.

The deeper issue is that we are not just dealing with dietary choices—we are dealing with addiction, habits, and access. Sugar is deeply embedded in our culture, our celebrations, and our daily routines. Changing behaviors requires more than updated guidelines; it requires education, support, and culturally relevant solutions. 

One driving force behind all this? Poverty. 

In the Rio Grande Valley, an estimated 25% to 35% of residents live below the federal poverty level. For many families, survival comes first. Food choices are driven by cost and accessibility, not nutritional value. Highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates are often the most affordable and available options. Telling families to “eat healthier” without addressing affordability and access misses the reality they face.

Many people in the Rio Grande Valley must travel more than 10 miles to a “local” grocery store to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.  In many cases people will go to the local flea markets on the weekends and purchase fruits and vegetables at reduced prices. 

That’s not to say there aren’t groups trying to bridge this gap. Unidos Contra La Diabetes, like many other organizations and churches, relies on the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley to help fill accessibility gaps and provide nutritious food for people when possible. In Edinburg, roughly 20 miles north of the border, we have El Meson Community Kitchen who provides hot meals to community members and healthy recipes during distribution of food boxes. The work these organizations, and those like them, are doing is critical. But despite these organizations’ noble effort, the issue is systemic.

If we are serious about actually making America healthy again, broad sweeping national recommendations won’t cut it. Policymakers must invest in making healthier foods affordable and accessible. Healthcare providers must prioritize patient education that reflects real-life conditions. And communities must be equipped with tools that address not just diet, but behavior, culture, and economic barriers, prioritizing those in poverty without easy access to fresh produce.

Guidelines and updated food pyramids alone won’t solve the diabetes crisis. Until we confront sugar addiction, improve access to healthier foods, and support families where they are, we will continue to fall short of the goal we all share—a healthier America for everyone.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Moises Arjona, Jr. Arjona is CEO of Unidos Contra La Diabetes, where he leads a collective‑impact movement in the Rio Grande Valley, drawing on his own lived journey with obesity and diabetes while strengthening deep community partnerships to reduce new cases of type 2 diabetes through a multigenerational approach. With nearly a decade advancing public health along the U.S.–Mexico Border, Arjona champions equity‑driven solutions that strengthen outcomes for vulnerable communities. His work brings partners together, aligns regional efforts, and drives measurable progress in diabetes prevention and awareness.