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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

Report: 1 in 5 Latino Youth Have Obesity


Latino youth have obesity rwjf report from seattle

One in six U.S. youth have obesity, but the issue is worse among Latinos and other youth of color, according to a new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). More than one in five Latino (21.4%), Black (23.8%), and American Indian/Alaska Native (28.7%) children ages 10-17 have obesity. The reasons? Structural racism and systemic health inequities. Racist policies and discriminatory practices affect our food system, access to healthcare, affordable housing, and critical family supports like childcare, the RWJF report says. Together, the effects of these policies and practices force families into hard choices on how to spend limited resources, especially during COVID-19. “The state of childhood obesity in America is an urgent call to action for leaders at all ...

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Been in a Clinical Trial? We Want to Share Your Story!


Clinical trial - share your story

Are you Latino? Have you participated in a clinical trial related to cancer, Alzheimer’s, or another condition? If so, we want to talk with you and share your story! Salud America! is looking to interview and write stories about heroes like you — Latinos who have participated in a clinical trial — to showcase the benefits of volunteering to inspire other Latinos to volunteer, too. Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez’s Salud America! program at UT Health San Antonio is sharing the stories of clinical trial heroes with the support of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. “Clinical trials are studies that help researchers learn more and more to help slow, manage, and treat Alzheimer's and cancer,” Ramirez said. “Clinical trials help us fight for our familia.” To share ...

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17 Awesome Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month


Hispanic Heritage Month HHM mural

Hispanic Heritage Month is here! This annual U.S. observance, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. We at Salud America! invite you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in these awesome ways. 1. Learn How Hispanic Heritage Month Started U.S. Congressmen 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 its current 30-day period. President Ronald Reagan implemented the expansion to Hispanic ...

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Award Finalist: Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training


Exito Cancer Collage

For the third time, Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez's Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program at UT Health San Antonio has been named a finalist for Excelencia in Education's "Examples of Excelencia." The awards spotlight evidence-based programs that support Latino students in higher education. Éxito! was also a finalist in 2018 and 2019. The winning “Examples of Excelencia” in four categories—associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organizations—will be announced virtually at Excelencia in Education’s annual Celebracion de Excelencia on Oct. 28. 2021. Excelencia in Education is a national group that promotes Latinos in higher education. Éxito! recruits 25 Latino students and health professionals annually for a culturally tailored ...

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5 Reasons to Attend: Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos 2022



In the next 20 years, Latinos could face a 142% rise in cancer rates. Latinos also experience cancer differently—from genetics to healthcare access to survivorship. This is why Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, is hosting the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos 2022 conference on Feb. 23-25, 2022 in San Antonio! "Our vision is to unite researchers, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates and students from across the nation to discuss research advancements, identify gaps, and create action to translate basic research into clinical best practices, effective community interventions, and professional training programs to eliminate cancer disparities in Latinos," said Ramirez, whose Institute for Health Promotion Research ...

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5 Ways to Engage Latinos to Support Healthier Drinks, Not Sugary Drinks


voices for healthy kids sugary drink tax graphic

By Reena Singh Guest Blogger, Voices for Healthy Kids Voices for Healthy Kids recently completed research to get the Latino community’s take on sugary drinks and sugary drink taxes. The research identified several messaging findings and strategies to help engage the Latino community in efforts to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks. Specifically, the research found after receiving more information, support for sugary drink taxes jumped 28%. So, what did we learn about building relationships and engagement with Latino communities on efforts to increase access to healthy beverages and reduce the consumption of sugary drinks? 1. Materials and Messages Need to Be in Spanish and English 45% of Latinos in the survey reported they speak Spanish daily. The majority (62%) of ...

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Elsada Wilson: En Medio del Cáncer de Seno, Encontré Esperanza a Través de un Estudio Clínico


elsada wilson latinos clinical trials

El cáncer es un camino difícil, miedoso y peligroso para la vida, especialmente para las mujeres de color. Por esto es que los investigadores realizan estudios clínicos, que son estudios para encontrar tratamientos más efectivos o para lograr un mejor entendimiento del cáncer de seno y la supervivencia en las minorías. Pero, para progresar, los estudios clínicos necesitan voluntarios diversos, como Elsada Wilson. Wilson participó en un estudio clínico del Mays Cancer Center de UT Health San Antonio y encontró esperanza para ella, su familia y el futuro. "Sentí que estaba ayudando a avanzar los estudios y el conocimiento", dijo. "Si me ayuda, entonces podré ayudar a mi familia y ayudar a otras personas que necesitan ayuda. Quería ayudar a los demás. Me dije a mí ...

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4 Ways to Uplift Latinos to the Forefront of Health Care, Public Health, Society


latina mom and daughter face masks covid uplift latinos

Latinos are the largest racial/ethnic minority at 18.5% of the U.S. population. Yet they face considerable health inequities — from discrimination to a lack of access to health care, transportation, affordable housing, healthy food, and more. This contributes to a high burden of diabetes, obesity, and disease for Latinos. In response, we need more understanding of the root causes of health inequities, diversity in the health and research fields, better education, and greater societal presence for Latinos, according to a new article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, and Drs. Rita Lepe and Francisco Ciagarroa of the Transplant Center at UT Health San Antonio. "The changing ...

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