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Rosalie Aguilar-Santos

Rosalie Aguilar Santos, MS, is Salud America!'s national project coordinator. She is passionate about nutrition, physical activity, and opportunities to engage communities in advocacy actions to promote Latino childhood health.


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Articles by Rosalie Aguilar-Santos

#BigGive2019 Brings San Antonio Nonprofits Together!


SABigGive2

On Thursday, March 28, 2019, for the first time ever, Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio will join dozens of nonprofits in raising funds for the health and well being of kids and families in our community! This is the first time in Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio's 12-year history that we're partnering with local nonprofits for the #BigGive2019. What's the #BigGive 2019? The the #BigGive2019 is a 1-day online event expected to bring out thousands of partners in support of local initiatives that have a direct impact on people in San Antonio, Bexar County, and surrounding communities. Why We're Excited to Join the #BigGive2019 This is our chance for us to showcase the healthy changes happening in San Antonio. Here are just a few examples of Salud America! Salud ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 3/26: National Diabetes Alert Day


hispanic woman running joggin exercising for national diabetes alert day

Latinos are twice as likely as whites to develop and die from diabetes in their lifetime. Diabetes threatens the health of Latino regions across the country. In Texas, 13% of San Antonio's population has diabetes. 17% of people have diabetes in border cities of Brownsville and Laredo, some of the highest rates in the nation. Latino-populated California has three diabetes-prone cities, Compton (16.5%), Lynwood (16.4%) and Southgate (15%). The scary thing is that many Latinos are unaware that they even have diabetes. On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, let's use #SaludTues on Twitter to chat how to promote awareness of diabetes risk factors and preventive solutions during #DiabetesAlertDay! TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, March 26, 2019 WHERE: On Twitter with ...

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

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


little girl eating and watching TV

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 ...

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10 Policies to Cut Child Poverty in Half in 10 Years



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 ...

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


Eye exam, low vision awareness

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), ...

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


girl with flag

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 ...

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


Keep Families Together

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 ...

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



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 ...

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