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Amanda Merck

Merck completed her MPH with a concentration in Physical Activity and Health. She curates content for Salud America! (@SaludAmerica), a Latino childhood obesity prevention project based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She focuses on the latest research, resources, and stories related to policy, systems, and environmental changes to enhance equitable access to safe places for kids and families to walk, bike, and play.

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Articles by Amanda Merck

Studies: Obesity Increases Breast Cancer Risk in Latina, Black Women



Two new studies provide compelling evidence that obesity increases the risk of the most common type of postmenopausal breast cancer among both black and Hispanic women, EMaxHealth reports. The studies, which are being unveiled at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) annual conference Oct. 29-31, 2014, in Washington, show that associations between body weight and breast cancer risk seen among white women also hold true for black and Hispanic women. In the first study, researchers at Cancer Prevention Institute of California found that "healthy-weight Hispanic women who gain pounds through adulthood have increased risk for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positive tumors after menopause." In the second study, researchers at the Rutgers Cancer ...

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How to Support the Growing Number of Latino Farm/Ranch Operators



The number of Latino farm and ranch operators increased 21% in the past five years. This good news because it highlights the vibrant, diverse agricultural future as it the system deals with two significant challenges: "an increased demand for production to feed the growing global and U.S. population, at the same time as much of the current farmer and rancher population is edging toward retirement," Farm Credit reports. Check out this infographic that explains the issue. Here also are groups that support Latino farmers, according to Farm Credit: Latinos in Agriculture National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association (NLFRTA) Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) INROADS National FFA The NLFRTA, for example, works with ...

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Study: Alcoholism a Problem among Recently Immigrated Hispanic Youth



Adapting to life in the United States causes high levels of stress in Hispanic immigrant youth, who frequently turn to alcohol, according to a new study. The study, published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence and reported by Voxxi News, indicates that recently immigrated Hispanic youth often report struggling with self-identity and stress as they try to find "a balance between cultural roots and their new environment." "Enduring bicultural stress during adolescence—a vulnerable developmental phase in which adolescents are still forming their own identity—places them at risk for participation in risk behaviors," the study's lead author, Assaf Oshri of the University of Georgia, told Medical XPress. "We found that bicultural stress disrupts their identity consolidation over ...

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Tweet with #SaludTues 10/28/14: What All Latinos Need to Know about Mental Health



More than 16% of Latino adults experienced a mental illness during the previous year, and communities of color are more likely to lack access to care to meet their behavioral health needs. This makes mental health awareness important in Latino communities. Let’s tweet about the education and access Latinos have to mental health and wellness, as well as what cultural barriers Latinos face with addressing mental health issues: WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Mental Health and Latinos” DATE: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 TIME: Noon CT (1:00 PM ET) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludToday CO-HOSTS: @APApsychiatric @SAMHSAgov We’ll open the floor to your stories and experiences as we explore: Why mental health is important for Latinos Cultural ...

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In Spanish: How to Keep the Workplace Safe



Workplace death rates are higher among Hispanics than other racial/ethnic groups, especially among Spanish speakers. Hispanics often work in higher-risk industries, including agriculture and construction, and they face cultural and language barriers, which undermine "the effectiveness of safety materials and hazard warnings printed in a language they don’t speak or read," the Albuquerque Journal reports. This makes Spanish-language safety materials critically important. So the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a Spanish website with workplace safety materials, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a wealth of Spanish publications and other resources for employers and employees. Employers are urged to review these ...

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3 Reasons Why Latinos Struggle More with Eating Disorders


eating disorders weight obesity concern stress

Obese Latinos struggle more than four times as much with binge eating disorder than the overall population, according to a post by The Bella Vita Eating Disorder Program. Why is binge eating a problem for Latinos? Dr. Patricia Pitts, founder and CEO of The Bella Vita, mentions three reasons: Acculturation (the adjustment to a new culture). "The negative effects of acculturation to American culture on diet and substance use are emerging in the research. Acculturation also carries health risks for both obesity, type two diabetes, and cardiovascular disease." Income. "Low-income individuals must deal with barriers to affordable, quality fruits and vegetables, walking or exercising in unsafe neighborhoods, and finding the time to engage in healthy eating habits while struggling ...

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Study: 27% of Hispanics Report High Levels of Depressive Symptoms; Puerto Ricans Most Depressed



About 27% of US Hispanics reported high levels of depressive symptoms, according to a new study, Medical Express reports. The study, part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), indicates that depression and anxiety rates differ widely among Hispanic groups. The highest rates of depressive symptoms were reported by Puerto Ricans (38%). The lowest rates were among Mexicans (22.3%). "Our study has found that mental health problems differ among the various groups comprising this population, suggesting that healthcare workers should look more closely at subgroups of Hispanics and Latinos to deliver appropriate mental health services," said lead author Dr. Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, co-principal investigator of HCHS/SOL at the Albert Einstein ...

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Tweet with #SaludTues on 10/21/14: “Healthier Recipes for Latino Foods”



In the Latino community, we love to share delicious home-cooked meals with our family and friends. But sometimes it’s hard to plan a meal that’s both satisfying and healthy. Do Latinos have to sacrifice bold traditional flavors to ensure their family has a well-balanced meal? Certainly not! With a little planning, openness, and creativity, Latinos can prepare tasty dishes the whole family will love. Join us and our co-hosts as we tweet about healthy cooking and Latino foods at the next #SaludTues Tweetchat. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Healthier Recipes for Latino Foods” DATE: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014 TIME: Noon CST (1:00 PM ET) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues Co-HOSTS: @SaludToday, @ClaudiaZapata! We'll open the floor to your stories and ...

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Webinar 10/29/14: The State of Obesity and Health Disparities



You're invited to join a webinar exploring the current state of U.S. obesity and related health disparities, and the latest efforts to combat the problem. Register here for the webinar at 2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014. The webinar, hosted by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and Voices for Healthy Kids, will discuss a summary, key findings, and the latest research on obesity's toll related to health disparities from a recent report, The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America. The report found that adult obesity rates increased in six states over the past year and did not decrease in any. Furthermore, significant geographic, income, racial, and ethnic disparities persist, with obesity rates highest in the South and among Blacks, Latinos, and ...

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