![University of Texas at Brownsville University of Texas at Brownsville](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/thumbnail_100x100_fixed/public/files/2015/06/Brownsville-s1e1fe.jpg?itok=4H2tHC55)
Q&A with Rose Gowen: How Brownsville is fighting public obesity and making a more vibrant city
Rose Gowen is a city commissioner and OB-GYN in Brownsville, a city of 180,000 that sits just north of the Texas-Mexico border. The greater Brownsville area has the highest poverty rate in the country – 35 percent – which has contributed to an obesity and diabetes epidemic. Gowen spoke with the Kinder Institute’s Ryan Holeywell about how the city is trying to combat a public health crisis. The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.