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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

‘San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program’ Launches at UT Health San Antonio


To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health San Antonio, and Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami have partnered to launch the San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program.

Cancer is a big concern for firefighters in San Antonio. Firefighting is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of death among firefighters. Studies have shown that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population. Within the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), more than 70 firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years, including leukemia to multiple myeloma and cancers of the brain, thyroid, colon, prostate, and testicles. Many cases also go unreported. To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health ...

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Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Is Helping Cancer Survivors Tell Their Stories



Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, joined Coastal Living TV in Corpus Christi, Texas, to share how cancer survivors can join the Avanzando Caminos study. Avanzando Caminos is a study that aims to help cancer survivors. The study aims to enroll 1,500 Latino cancer survivors in South Texas and 1,500 more in Miami to help unpack the behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on life after cancer. As part of the study, volunteers share their cancer journeys. "So far, the individuals who've participated have been really grateful. They said, 'I've never had a chance to tell my story about what I went through,'" Ramirez said. "It will help us take a deeper look into how we can help our ...

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‘Eye on the Future’ Video Contest to Inspire Teens to Explore Science



The National Eye Institute (NEI) is framing the way for future success in a career in health and science for teens by holding its annual Eye on the Future campaign. Just like 2023 and 2024, the Eye on the Future campaign kicks off with a $2,000 teen video contest. “We created the [contest] because we want to hear from the next generation of scientists (that’s you!) about why science is so important,” according to the NEI website. “And we want to encourage high school students from all backgrounds to learn more about science.” The contest is open until April 20, 2025. How to Enter the Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest Interested students in grades 9-12 can enter NEI’s Eye on the Future contest by submitting a 30-second-to-3-minute video showcasing one of three ...

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Webinar: Tipping the Scales Toward Health


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Obesity is a critical risk factor for diabetes and cancer. Find out the latest in obesity prevention and management at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “Tipping the Scales Toward Health,” at 11 a.m. Central on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The webinar will feature experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, the Metropolitan Health District of the City of San Antonio, and Genentech to explore the issue of obesity and related chronic health conditions like diabetes and related cancers that are impacting South Texas. Panelists will discuss strategies for obesity management, diabetes management, and promoting a healthy weight. They will also address the non-medical drivers of health and share available resources and support for healthy lifestyles and the ...

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Obesity Care Week: Commit To Care!


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Obesity Care Week 2025 (#ObesityCareWeek) is here! From March 3-7, 2025, Obesity Care Week is an annual public awareness effort to end weight bias. It promotes education for a better world for people living with obesity. Also, World Obesity Day is March 4, 2025. Our Salud America! Latino health team at UT Health San Antonio is happy to serve as an Obesity Care Week Champion to help raise awareness. "We need to continue to address the state of obesity care among Latinos and all people," said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio and a leading health researcher. Salud America! research has found that U.S. Latinos face health issues in many areas, from poverty and support to access to affordable housing and transit. This contributes to higher ...

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Watch Webinar: The Thing that Could Save Your Life



Cancer screening can save lives by detecting cancer early, when it’s most treatable or before it starts. Watch a webinar about cancer screening at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “The Thing that Could Save Your Life,” which took place at 1 p.m. Central on March 4, 2025. The webinar featured experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Genentech, and a cancer survivor, who explored available cancer screenings and how to access them in South Texas and beyond. Panelists examined common myths and barriers to routine cancer screening, including the non-medical drivers of health, and strategies to overcome those myths and barriers. Panelists also shared other cancer prevention strategies from risk reduction and participating in clinical trials. This is a ...

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Big Recommendations for Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos


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With cancer still rising in the US Latino population, UT Health San Antonio leaders and national cancer experts have published an online book with innovative recommendations to reduce Latino cancer. The book, "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings," highlights results of the same-named conference that brought 300 researchers, advocates, and survivors to San Antonio in February 2024. A follow-up conference is planned for Feb. 18-20, 2026, in San Antonio. Included in the book are promising research findings on Latino cancer and strategies for new research covering the entire cancer continuum, from advances in risk assessment, prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and policy. “Our book, Advancing the Science of ...

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How Cancer Centers Are Addressing Local Needs


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More than 2 million people in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year. No two among them will experience cancer exactly the same way. Even so, certain groups of people will share similar cancer experiences—experiences marked by deep disadvantage. Latinos face higher rates of cervical, liver, and stomach cancers. Black women with ovarian cancer don’t live as long as White women with the disease. People living in rural areas are less likely to get regular cancer screenings than those who live in cities. And people who live in areas where poverty has been the norm for decades are more likely to die of cancer than those living in more affluent areas. These patterns of worse outcomes among specific groups of people are called cancer disparities. Although ...

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