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Cliff Despres

Cliff Despres, who has more than a decade of experience in journalism and public relations, is communications director for Salud America! and its home base, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.


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Articles by Cliff Despres

#SaludTues Tweetchat 7/5: What Is Biospecimen Donation and Should You Donate?


biospecimens donate donation blood draw latina patient

Ever heard of donating biospecimens for research? When a person donates biospecimens—blood, fluid, or tissue samples—it gives researchers the opportunity to better understand, treat, and prevent medical conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's. Biospecimens are especially needed from Latinos, who suffer health disparities. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, to tweet about the need for biospecimen donations, how researchers use the donations, and how you can donate to improve health for all people! WHAT: #SaludTues: What Is Biospecimen Donation and Should You Donate? TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, July 5, 2022 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: Melissa Simon, Health Equity Researcher, ...

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The Massive Need for Equitable Latino Representation in Clinical Trials


clinical trials latino family home volunteer

Latinos represent less than 10% of volunteers in cancer clinical trials. The lack of Latinos in clinical trials makes it harder for researchers to find treatments tailored for this group — which makes up 18.5% of the U.S. population and a diversity of heritages. This is why Drs. Amelie G. Ramirez and Patricia Chalela of UT Health San Antonio identified barriers and strategies to boost Latino representation in clinical trials in a new commentary in JCO Oncology Practice. It will take more than simply raising awareness of clinical trials to everyone. "To achieve equitable participation of Latinos and other underrepresented groups in clinical research, we need comprehensive approaches that address social and contextual barriers to participation," said Ramirez, leader of the ...

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La Necesidad Enorme de Tener una Representación Latina Equitativa en los Estudios Clínicos


clinical trials latino family home volunteer

Los latinos representan menos del 10% de los voluntarios en los estudios clínicos de cáncer (enlace en inglés). La falta de latinos en los estudios clínicos hace que sea más difícil para los investigadores encontrar tratamientos desarrollados específicamente para este grupo – que representa el 18.5% de la población de los Estados Unidos y una diversidad de culturas. Las doctoras Amelie G. Ramírez y Patricia Chalela de UT Health San Antonio identificaron barreras y estrategias para promover la representación latina en los estudios clínicos en un nuevo comentario (enlace en inglés) publicado en JCO Oncology Practice. Se necesitará más que simplemente aumentar el conocimiento sobre los estudios clínicos. "Para lograr la participación equitativa de los latinos y ...

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More Cities Are Banning Smoking in Apartment Units


no smoking in apartments in riverside and vallejo california multifamily secondhand smoke

Two more cities have prohibited smoking inside apartment units. On April 26, 2022, Riverside, Calif., city leaders preliminarily approved a ban on smoking in multifamily-housing rental complexes, including individual apartment homes and attached balconies and patios. Latino tenants helped drive the measure. On May 10, 2022, Vallejo, Calif., city leaders banned smoking in multi-unit residences. Bans like these—to reduce exposure to harmful secondhand smoke among apartment and condo tenants—are on the rise. "Upon adoption, Riverside would join at least 167 California cities and counties that have enacted ordinances to restrict smoking in multifamily housing complexes, said Karina Funez, advocacy policy manager for the American Lung Association in California, which has been ...

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Men, Why Should You Get Screened for Cancer? Join This Webinar 6/9/22!



Unfortunately, Latino men have lower cancer screening rates than their White peers. Only 30% of Latino men received a PSA test for prostate cancer in the past year, compared to 37% of White men. Colorectal cancer screening was lower in Latinos (49%) than Whites (58%), too. To address this issue, you’re invited to join our webinar — Men, Why Should You Get Screened for Cancer? — at 2 p.m. CT on June 9, 2022. This Zoom webinar will feature guest speakers and patient advocates to help health care professionals and the Latino public understand the cultural and other barriers to screening, demystify screening tests, and share stories of Latino men's screening and cancer survival. This is the fourth webinar of a new series, “Let’s Address Health Equity Together.” The ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 6/7: How to Address Alzheimer’s in the Latino Community


latina older man grandgfather abuelo guitar playing music

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month! This is a good time to reflect on the many challenges and inequities facing people of color in the United States when it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and brain health. Sadly, U.S. Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than whites. Latino caregivers experience high levels of stress when supporting their family members with the disease. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, to tweet about the latest data, strategies, and programs to prevent and reduce Alzheimer’s disease and promote better brain health among Latinos and all people! WHAT: #SaludTues: How to Address Alzheimer’s in the Latino Community TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, June 7, 2022 ...

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Tatiana Holanda: Cáncer No Es un Oponente, Sino un Maestro


Tatiana Holanda breast cancer survivor brazil san antonio

Por Tatiana Holanda Sobreviviente de cáncer brasileña en San Antonio No veo al cáncer como un oponente "Lo veo como un maestro". Esa es la frase que resume mi historia. A la edad de 33 años, luego de los exámenes, se detectó un bulto en la mama izquierda de 2 cm, en el examen de ultrasonido se clasificó como Birads 4 con indicación de biopsia. En junio de 2019, con el resultado en la mano, se confirmó que tenía cáncer de mama triple negativo. Al principio, desesperación, luego angustia y ansiedad. Hubo 40 días de espera entre el diagnóstico y el inicio del tratamiento. Tuve que sacar fuerzas de algún lado, en ese momento mi hijo Rafael tenía 1 año. Cuando descubrí la enfermedad, pensé: tanto le pedí a Dios un hijo y ¿qué voy a hacer ahora frente al ...

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Join the Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action!


Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action from Campaign for Tobacco free kids no smoking

How can you stand up to the tobacco industry? On March 31, you can participate in Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action! Take Down Tobacco, a fresh take on Kick Butts Day, is the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ signature platform for empowering people to speak out against the tobacco industry. You can: Join the movement Host an event Play games in the Take Down Tobacco Arcade Plan events or share on ocial media with #TakeDownTobacco The team behind Salud America! is working to help young adults quit smoking with Quitxt, our free English or Spanish text-message service that turns your phone into a personal “quit smoking” coach from UT Health San Antonio. To get help, text “iquit” (for English) or “lodejo” (for Spanish) to 844-332-2058. “On ...

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