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.
We appreciate the doctors who take care of us and our familias. National Women in Medicine Day, which on Sept. 17 during Hispanic Heritage Month, aims to recognize, celebrate, and amplify the women who are making a difference across medicine and healthcare. We at Salud America! are excited to observe National Women in Medicine Day by highlighting seven of our favorite Latina physicians and health leaders!
1. Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez is an internationally recognized health researcher at UT Health San Antonio. Here, she is professor and chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She also is associate director of cancer outreach and engagement at the Mays ...
Latinos are a dynamic, rising population. But who makes up this population? How big it it, where is it, and what is it like? For Hispanic Heritage Month, let's explore some important facts and figures about the population that is often referred to as Latino or Hispanic.
1. The U.S. Latino Population Is Large
Latinos rose rising to 20% of the U.S. population for the first time this past year, according to the U.S. Census. U.S. Latinos grew from 65 million in 2023 to 68 million in 2024, “The U.S. Latino population has almost doubling in size since 2000, according to Pew Research Center.
2. The U.S. Latino Population Is Mostly of Mexican Origin
Among Latino, people of Mexican origin are the largest single group represented in the U.S. at 57% (40 million) in 2024, according ...
Cancer is a threat to the health of Latinos and all people. That’s why Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, partnered with the Mays Cancer Center to create the Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations (ACRLP) biennial conference series. On Feb. 18-20, 2026, the newest ACRLP conference welcomed over 350 prominent researchers, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the globe to address cancer among Latinos and all people in San Antonio, Texas. Conference sponsors included: Genentech, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Revolution Medicine, Natera, AstraZeneca (platinum); Blood Cancer United, Menarini Stemline, Eli Lilly (gold); National ...
At Salud America!, we're excited to discuss health during Hispanic Heritage Month! This annual U.S. observance, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories, backgrounds and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America and Latin America.
How Did Hispanic Heritage Month Start?
U.S. Congressmen George E. Brown and Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles, and Henry B. Gonzales, were among those who introduced legislation on the topic in 1968. President Lyndon Johnson implemented the observance as Hispanic Heritage Week that year. U.S. Rep. Esteban E. Torres of Pico Rivera proposed the observance be expanded to cover a 31-day period. President Ronald Reagan implemented the expansion to Hispanic Heritage ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Dr. Robert A. Winn, MD, is the former Director and Lipman Chair in Oncology at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Science for a purpose Dr. Winn began by praising recent scientific and medical advances, but also by emphasizing that those advances need to make a difference for everyday people in everyday communities. About 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Much of the information about risk, and information about advances in medicine, have failed to reach more rural populations, and even some of their primary care ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Variability of cancer outcomes based on population
Cancer rates and outcomes vary widely based on race/ethnicity, gender, country of origin, location, heritage, language spoken, socioeconomic status, age, family history, and more. For example, although Latino individuals have lower overall rates of cancer nationwide, rates of stomach and liver cancer are twice as high as non-Hispanic White individuals, and the rate of cervical cancer is 36% higher. [Winn] Because of this variability, intentional steps must be taken to ensure cancer research and initiatives target all ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
The Hidden Costs of Care: Tackling Financial Toxicity in Oncology
Dr. Jean Edward is Associate Professor and PhD Program Director for the College of Nursing at the Markey Cancer Center and the University of Kentucky. Financial toxicity and Hispanic cancer survivors Dr. Edward began by defining financial toxicity as the financial burden and distress associated with the high costs of cancer care. Approximately 30% of cancer survivors experience financial toxicity. Overall, cancer survivors spend about 20% of their income on out-of-pocket expenses, and are 2.65 ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Advancing Environmental Change and Cancer Research Through Latinx Expertise
Dr. Leticia M. Nogueira is Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society. Environmental and cancer care Dr. Nogueira’s presentation focused on the connection between environmental change and cancer, and how expertise from the Latinx population is fundamental for advancing solutions that are relevant to everyone. Environmental change alters the behavior of extreme weather events. Extreme weather events can damage medical infrastructure, break transportation links, ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Genetic Variation and Population Differences in the Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Dr. Adam de Smith is a genetic epidemiologist and Associate Professor at City of Hope. The epidemiology of ALL Dr. de Smith began by discussing the epidemiology of ALL, which has an increased risk among individuals of Latino ethnicity. ALL is the most common cancer in children, comprising approximately 30% of childhood cancer with over 3000 new cases each year. ALL is a cancer of white blood cells, affecting B-cells in about 80% of cases and T-cells in about ...
