Articles by Rosalie Aguilar-Santos

4 Ways to Promote Health Equity for Greater San Antonio in 2019

March 19, 2019

biggive 2019 in san antonio for health equity and salud america at ut health san antonio

San Antonio is a vibrant, historic, still-growing city (63% Latino). But people here still face uphill health battles. They face diabetes, obesity, and inequitable access to quality medical care, education, income, and support. The good news is that community and school advocates are making a difference! And our program, Salud America! led by Dr. Amelie Ramirez at UT Health San Antonio, spotlights these heroes and enables action to improve local health! Advocates Making a Difference for San Antonio Health Here are some San Antonio heroes on our Salud America! website: Mental Health Support for City's Youngest Kids. Fred Cardenas helped build the Early Childhood Well Being (ECWB) at Family Service Association of San Antonio. ECWB intervenes early for kids ages 0-8 who ...

New Webinar: How Food Companies Target Latino & Black Youth With Junk Food Ads

March 13, 2019

8 out of 10 food TV ads seen by Latino kids are for junk food, according to a recent study. Each year food companies spend billions of dollars on food advertising. The gap continues to rise in how much junk food is advertised to Latino and black children compared to white children. Why are Latino and Black children targeted by junk food ads? What impact does this have on their health and overall disparities? Find out at a new webinar on April 4, 2019, with Salud America! and its partners to learn more about exactly which companies and brands are marketing junk food products to minority groups. Register for the Webinar! Here are the details for the April 4 webinar below! Webinar: Unhealthy Food Advertising Targeted to Hispanic and Black Youth Hosts: UConn Rudd Center ...

10 Policies to Cut Child Poverty in Half in 10 Years

March 6, 2019

At least 9.6 million U.S. children (13%) live in poverty. Among Latino children, poverty rates are even higher (22% vs. 8% white children). These children will often lack quality education and healthcare while suffering trauma and poor health outcomes. But what if there was a way to fight poverty? Or better yet, what if you had a road map with the most effective ways to fight poverty? A new bipartisan report produced by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), focuses on 10 big policy areas that could cut the child poverty rate by up to 50%, while at the same time increasing employment and earnings among adults living in low-income families. Researchers conducted two simulations or projections for each policy area to explore the effects that ...

#SaludTues 2/19: Eye Health & Low Vision Awareness Month

February 12, 2019

By 2040, Latinos are projected to have the highest rates of visual impairment compared to other U.S. minority groups. An increased risk for developing type II diabetes, combined with a rapid growth in the aging population are two key drivers increasing the risk for visual impairment and diabetic eye diseases , like diabetic retinopathy, among this population. What can we do to help prevent and address this in the Latino community? On Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2019, let’s tweet with #SaludTues to learn more as we discuss how to promote eye health and low vision awareness during #LowVisionAwareness month! TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2019 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: Prevent Blindness Texas (@PBTEXAS), ...

#SaludTues Tweetchat 1/15: Impact of Policy on Immigrant Health

January 8, 2019

Anti-immigrant policies impact the health of immigrant families and national health on many levels. When racial profiling and fear of deportation is high immigrant families are less likely to seek health care services, despite being eligible in many cases. Studies also show that such fears may have long term health consequences, which could result from poor food purchasing practices, a lack of physical activity, stress and poor mental health. Let's tweet with #SaludTues on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, to learn more as we discuss the impact that anti-immigrant policies have on immigrant health. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: The American ...

#SaludTues Tweetchat 11/27: The Impact of Public Charge on Immigrant Families

November 20, 2018

All families, including immigrant families, deserve the right to have the healthiest and best quality of life that they can. Despite the fact that immigrants generally benefit the economy, contributing $743 billion to the U.S. economy (2009-2011), the Trump administration is proposing changes to the Public Charge rule which could penalize immigrants (both legal and undocumented) for using public benefits. What does this mean for immigrant children and their families? For many, this may mean the difference between obtaining lawful permanent residence or a green card and having access to nutritious foods, medical care, and housing. Not having access to such public benefits only makes it more difficult for families to break the cycle of poverty. Join us this #SaludTues on ...

#SaludTues Tweetchat 10/23: Impact of Sugar & Healthier Alternatives

October 16, 2018

What are your plans for this coming halloween? If you have children, chances are many of them will be trick-or-treating for candy and other sugar-loaded treats. While its OK to enjoy a sweet treat from time to time, as a community it's also important to recognize the consequences that arise with easy access to products high in added sugars, and having less access to healthier options. Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended that children over 2 years of age should consume no more than 6 teaspoons/day of added sugars. Yet most children have up to 19 teaspoons/day. Among Latino kids, this number may be even higher. Join us this #SaludTues on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, to find out how to take action and tweet about the Impact of Sugar and Healthier ...

#SaludTues Tweetchat 9/25: Latinos & Diabetes Prevention

September 18, 2018

Over 1 in 2 Latinos are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes at some point in their lifetime. The good news is that type II diabetes can often be delayed or prevented with modest (5-7%) weight loss. But how can one act if they don't know their risk? Contrary to what some might believe, the cause is not always genetic. Even individuals with prediabetes can still take important steps to prevent from seeing the disease progress into diabetes. One important step for prediabetic individuals is getting referred to a diabetes prevention program. However, of 84 million individuals with prediabetes, only 11.6% are aware they have this condition. Join us this #SaludTues on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, to find out how to take action and tweet about Latinos and the Diabetes Prevention ...

Adult Obesity Rates Surpass 35% in 7 States, While Other States See No Drop

September 12, 2018

Adult obesity rates reached 35% in at least 7 states and saw increases in 31 states across the U.S. from 2012-2017, while no significant drops in obesity rates were seen in any state, over the last year. These are the latest findings from a report from the Trust for America's Health and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report developed using data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) goes on to highlight how adult obesity continued to rise in at least 6 states: Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and South Carolina, between 2016-2017. In the case of Iowa and Oklahoma, this is the first time these states reach the 35% obesity threshold. The states with the highest levels of obesity by rank are: #1- West Virginia ...

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Rosalie Aguilar-Santos

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