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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

Dr. Amelie Ramirez Named to Women in Cancer Research Council


Amelie Ramirez komen scholar cancer research

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio and a leading health disparities researcher, has been named to the Women in Cancer Research Council of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The council organizes the activities of the members of the Women in Cancer Research group, including fostering career development and recognizing scientific achievements. They also advise AACR leadership on issues of concern to women investigators. Ramirez will serve on the council for a three-year term starting December 2019. “I’m very excited to serve the AACR in this role. I hope to advance the role of women—including those who are racially/ethnically diverse—in cancer research across the continuum from the lab to survivorship," Ramirez said. ...

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Planners, Here’s How to Unlock Health Equity in Your Community


health equity planning from ChangeLab Solutions

Local planners have the power to help create healthy, fair communities. Unfortunately, common planning practices have contributed to the high percentage of poor people and people of color who live in unhealthy places, widening disparities in health and wealth. That's why our friends at ChangeLab Solutions created Long Range-Planning for Health, Equity & Prosperity: A Primer for Local Governments. This can help planners prioritize health and equity in their work. "By integrating health and equity considerations into planning practices, planners have the power to revise past planning decisions and create healthy, equitable, and prosperous communities," ChangeLab reports. Place Matters for Health Equity Where you live matters for your health. Inequitable city planning, ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 1/14: How to Boost Health Equity in Schools


health equity in school classroom with Latino and diverse teacher and students kids

How important is healthy equity in schools? Amid the growing diversity among U.S. children, especially the rise of the Latino population, the future success of the nation depends on creating schools that are the healthiest─and most equitable─for all children. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, to tweet how schools can equitably improve the food, physical activity, and learning environment for all children!  WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: How to Boost Health Equity in Schools TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: The Children’s Health Fund (@chfund), The Healthy and Ready to Learn program of the Children’s Health Fund (@HRLNYC), Action for Healthy ...

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En Español: The State of Latino Housing, Transportation, and Green Space


en espanol - housing transportation green spaces among latinos

Check out these new Spanish-language research materials on the alarming state of Latino housing, transportation, and green space from our team at Salud America! UT Health San Antonio. The new Spanish materials are based on an English research review earlier in 2019. The research found that, sadly, U.S. Latino communities face unaffordable housing, unreliable public transportation, and a lack of green space and parks. This limits Latinos’ access to health-promoting assets─medical care, good schools, healthy food, and physical activity. This also contributes to health inequities. Fortunately, community leaders can adopt dynamic land-use methods, public-private partnerships, and community involvement to build and revitalize Latino neighborhoods. This can create affordable ...

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Ursula Garcia: What Breast Cancer Cannot Do


ursula garcia breast cancer survivor bff

By Ursula Garcia Texas Cancer Survivor I was a young, healthy 27-year-old, who had just recently moved to Grapevine, Texas, with my fiancé. Around that time I noticed a lot of bloody nipple discharge from my left side. Being young and healthy and with no family history, I kept going on with life as if nothing could be wrong. The following month it was time for my annual exam. I mentioned it to my doctor. A swab of the discharge was done. But nothing abnormal came back. So again I went on as if there was nothing to be concerned about. About a month later the symptoms became worse. I was bleeding a lot easier and the amount seemed to be getting worse. My fiancé noticed and said something didn't seem right and I should probably see a doctor. I immediately called my doctor ...

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We’re Hiring for a Video Producer Position!


We're hiring for a video producer position ut health san antonio

We're seeking a top-notch video producer to join our communication team at Salud America!, our national Latino health equity organization based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. The producer will conduct digital, studio, and field-based video and audio work. This includes planning, scripting, filming, editing, sound mixing, graphic design and compression output, and distribution of a wide range of video and audio products on a wide variety of mediums and channels. Apply Now! Details for the Video Producer Position A bachelor's degree and three years of related experience is required. Also required is: Prior experience in all aspects of video/audio production (creatively conceptualizing and translating ideas, planning, scripting, ...

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Researchers Identify Top Ways to Stop Projected 142% Rise in Latino Cancer


Latino cancer patient smiling with doctor nurse clinic

As U.S. Latinos face a staggering 142% projected rise in cancer cases by 2030, UT Health San Antonio leaders gathered international cancer experts to publish a new book with innovative research and recommendations to reduce Latino cancer. The book, Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos in Springer Open Books, showcases results of the same-named conference that brought 300 researchers to San Antonio in 2018. A follow-up conference, set for Feb. 26-28, 2020, in San Antonio, is open for registration. Included in the new 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, ...

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Dr. Amelie Ramirez Wins Digital Health Awards


Amelie Ramirez Wins Digital Health Awards

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez and her team at Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio have won three Fall 2019 Digital Health Awards for promoting Latino health equity! Digital Health Awards are given each spring and fall to recognize the world’s best digital health resources. The awards are given by the Health Information Resource Center. The Center is a national clearinghouse for professionals who work in consumer health fields. Here are the Salud America! award recipients: Bronze, Fall 2019 Digital Health Award, Web-Based Digital Health—Digital Content Curation, Salud America! Latino Health Equity Website, featuring the work of Dr. Ramirez and digital content curators Josh McCormack, Amanda Merck, Stacy Cantu, and Pramod Sukumaran. Bronze, Fall 2019 Digital Health Award, ...

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