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Stacy Cantu-Pawlik

Stacy Cantu completed both her BS & MPH at Texas A&M University (gig ‘em!), and is passionate about all things public health. She curates content on Healthy Food and Healthy Minds.


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Articles by Stacy Cantu-Pawlik

Implicit Bias in Stroke Care


Implicit Bias Stroke

Researchers now say Latinos and blacks experiencing a stroke are less likely to receive life-saving treatments than their white counterparts. These procedures are proven to reduce fatalities and improve patients' quality of life. Still, the systemic racism found in many healthcare systems prevents minority communities from receiving this procedure, according to new research in the American Heart Association's (AHA) Stroke.  "As disparities in stroke care, in general, have been repeatedly and consistently demonstrated, I would say the results were not surprising, though they remain frustrating and concerning," the study's lead author, Dr. Lorenzo Rinaldo—a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic—said in a press release. About the Implicit Bias Study Researchers at the Mayo Clinic ...

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#ElPasoChallenge: How One Latino Boy Spreads Kindness


Ruben Martinez El Paso Challenge

Last week's horrific mass shooting that targeted Latinos in an El Paso Walmart has shaken the nation. In spite of the hatred that motivated the shooting, 11-year-old Ruben Martinez in El Paso started a campaign on social media to help his community heal: The El Paso Challenge. Ruben suggested that kindness could be spread by doing 20 good deeds in honor of the victims of the shooting (the death toll later rose to 23). It all started when Ruben told his mom, Rose Gandarilla, he was afraid to go to the store. "He was having some trouble dealing with what happened," Rose Gandarilla, Ruben's mother, told CNN. "I explained to him that we could not live in fear and that people in our community are caring and loving. I told him to try and think of something he could do to make El ...

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Tell USDA: Protect SNAP for Kids and Families


SNAP hungry

The attack on SNAP food aid is far from over. After staving off cuts to SNAP in 2018 and 2019, the Trump administration now wants to change the way states determine who qualifies for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The change could take away food from 3 million people, according to health experts. "This rule would take food away from families, prevent children from getting school meals, and make it harder for states to administer food assistance," Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and the Senate Agriculture Committee told NPR. USDA is asking for public comments on SNAP until Sept. 23, 2019. How to Make a Comment to Save SNAP! 1. Copy one of our Salud America! model comments. Tweak the parts in green: SNAP HAS WORTH I am a NAMEOFPROFESSION in NAMEOFPLACE. ...

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5 Ways to Eliminate Racism and Improve Children’s Health


kids outside outdoors grass green

Most understand that systemic racism in the healthcare industry has been a problem for a long time — it continues today. Recent research has shown that Latino and black children are more likely to die of childhood cancers than their white counterparts. Still, some medical organizations realize this gap, which has led to some progress . The American Academy of Pediatricians initiated a call to action in its recent policy statement earlier this week, which aims to reduce the impact of racism and improve health equity for all children. “While progress has been made toward racial equality, the impact of racism on communities of color is wide-reaching, systemic and complex,” Dr. Maria Trent, lead author of the policy statement, said in a press release. The document brings ...

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Physician Burnout & Implicit Bias



It’s no secret that racial bias is prevalent in healthcare settings. Now, there is more quantitative data to back that sentiment. Research published in JAMA Network Open last May found that as medical residents’ symptoms of burnout, they become more prone to racial bias. "Rates of burnout symptoms that have been associated with adverse effects on patients, the healthcare workforce, costs, and physician health exceed 50% in studies of both physicians‐in‐training and practicing physicians," the study states. "This problem represents a public health crisis." Physician Burnout Physician burnout is a well-known, documented issue. Workload, pressure, and chaos can significantly contribute to burnout. Research has shown that 54% of doctors report feeling burned out. ...

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San Francisco’s New Equity Office Will Aim to Fight Systemic Racism



The City of San Francisco (15.1% Latino) unanimously approved legislation to create an Office of Racial Equity on Tuesday. The position will oversee a citywide race-equality plan, according to city officials as reported by NBC Bay Area. "This legislation will hold us accountable to moving the needle for racial equity in our city and addressing the disparities facing communities of color with regards to economic stability, housing, health outcomes or policing," said City Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer, who proposed the legislation along with Supervisor Vallie Brown. "It is long past due that San Francisco makes real our commitment to racial equity, and this Office of Racial Equity will make sure that everyone in San Francisco has equitable opportunity to survive." Racial Equity ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 7/30: The Role of Promotoras in Helping Prevent Diabetes


Latino dad with diabetes

Diabetes can lead to countless life-changing complications. Unfortunately, Latinos are disproportionately affected by diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. Additionally, the prevalence of diabetes among Latinos is rising at a substantially higher rate than non-Hispanic Whites. On Tuesday, July 30, 2019, let’s use #SaludTues on Twitter to chat about the importance of diabetes awareness and preventive solutions that will improve the health of Latinos and all!  TIME:1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT) DATE: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: @WeAreUnidosUS, @AADEdiabetes, @ChapCareOrg & @NCFHTX. We’ll open the floor to your stories and experiences as we explore: Diabetes and the Latino ...

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Study: Colon Cancer is Impacting More Young People Than Ever Before


young man having a stomachache gastric cancer

Rates of colorectal cancer, found in the colon or rectum, are on the rise among American adults under the age of 50. A new study, published the American Cancer Society’s peer-reviewed journal CANCER, discovered that the disease is impacting more and more young people by using data from the National Cancer Database registry. The research group, led by Dr. Boone Goodgame of The University of Texas at Austin, examined the data of over 1,185,763 patients. "Several studies have shown that the rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults have risen slowly in the US since the 1970s, but for practicing physicians, it feels like we are seeing more and more young people with colorectal cancer now than we were even 10 years ago," Goodgame, told Wiley. What were their ...

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New Study Confirms Alarming Breast Cancer Disparities


latina breast cancer pink

Latinas and black women may face increased risks of developing triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), according to a study published in Cancer. These forms are often aggressive and do not respond to hormone therapy or targeted therapy. These latest findings solidify known cancer development disparities, which continue to grow amongst Latinos, other racial/ethnic minority groups, and young women. Breast Cancer Inequities Dr. Lia Scott, of the Georgia State University School of Public Health, and her team studied all available diagnosed breast cancer cases from 2010 to 2014 using the U.S. Cancer Statistics database. It consists of a population-based surveillance system of cancer registries with numbers representing 99% of the U.S. population. "With the advent and ...

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