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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

Andrea Reichl: Facing Breast Cancer, Be Your Own Advocate


Andrea Reichl san antonio breast cancer survivor main

By Andrea Reichl Breast Cancer Survivor in San Antonio On June 8, 2015 I got the dreaded call that would change my my world as I knew it. I had only been 38 for one month and cancer never even crossed my mind as a possibility. I previously have had a mammogram and ultrasound annually due to a lump that was being monitored since my early 20s. Six months after my last mammogram my nipple became red and itchy. My gynecologist sent me to a breast specialist, who rudely told me it was because I didn’t have babies. It was devastating to hear that because she was unaware that for over 10 years my husband and I tried to have kids, unsuccessfully. She prescribed me a cream that didn’t work. I decided to go back to my gynecologist as things just didn’t feel right, and I ...

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Videos: Dr. Amelie Ramirez and Other Latino Experts on the COVID-19 Vaccine


Ramirez covid-19 vaccine confidence ad council video screen grab

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, is featured in a COVID-19 vaccine confidence-building communication campaign from the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative. The campaign, "It’s Up to You," aims to reach people of different backgrounds. The campaign includes communication materials in English and Spanish, including four videos from Ramirez: Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe and does it have any side effects? ¿Qué efectos secundarios puedo esperar si recibo la vacuna COVID-19? Why is the COVID-19 vaccine important? ¿Por qué es importante para los latinos recibir la vacuna COVID-19? "[The campaign] encourages audiences to get the latest vaccine information—knowing that personal education is the first step in building vaccine ...

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Farmer’s Markets Are Essential for Healthy Food Access amid COVID-19


Farmers markets are essential food improving healthy food access via farmers market coalition

Does your town have a farmers market? Farmers markets are a path to healthy food access. They are especially important now as the pandemic worsens food insecurity. Fortunately, the Farmers Market Coalition is stepping up to support farmers markets. They’re pushing for federal aid for markets, creating resources and anti-racist toolkits, and sharing how markets increase access to healthy, fresh produce and social connections, and engage farmers in the local economy. "Amidst a global pandemic and nationwide change, it is now more important than ever for [farmers] markets to bring people together," according to the coalition. "As hubs for connection and community resilience, farmers markets have particularly risen to the occasion this year by providing a necessary sense of unity ...

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Dr. Amelie Ramirez Featured as a Hero in the Fight Against COVID-19


Amelie Ramirez on magazine

Dr. Amelie Ramirez, leader of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, is featured in the latest edition of Leaders, a national magazine that aims to connect and inspire Latino and all leaders. The edition is called "Heroes of the Fight Against COVID-19." Highlights include: Profile stories about health leaders: Dr. Elena Rios, president of the National Hispanic Medical Association; Dr. David E. Hayes-Bautista of UCLA; Joaquin Duato of Johnson & Johnson; Nanette Cocero of Pfizer; Bonnie Castillo of National Nurses United; Dr. Robert Rodriguez of UCSF; Dr. Xiomara Rocha-Cadman of City of Hope; and more Profile stories about elected leaders: Catherine Cortez-Masto, Arizona, and Marco Rubio, Florida Data on COVID-19 case and death rates (via Salud America!) Data on ...

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Health Misinformation is an Urgent Threat to Public Health, Says U.S. Surgeon General


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Today, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued his first public advisory of the Biden Administration to warn Americans about health misinformation. Health misinformation is threatening U.S. response to COVID-19, preventing Americans from getting vaccinated, and prolonging the pandemic. Misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines also often targets Latino and Black communities, which have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and have low rates of vaccine uptake. "Health misinformation is an urgent threat to public health. It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, and undermine public health efforts, including our ongoing work to end the COVID-19 pandemic," Murthy said in a press release about the advisory. "My job is to help people stay safe and healthy, and without ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 8/3: Breaking Down Systemic Injustices in Healthcare


Latina nurse doctor hospital worker for health equity figh healthcare injustices

A widening socioeconomic gap, racism, and discrimination contribute to inequitable distribution of healthcare and mental and physical health disparities among Latinos and other people of color. This is especially true amid COVID-19. How can we change this? Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, to discuss emerging strategies to promote a cohesive culture for health equity is one where everyone works individually and as a group to ensure that each person has a fair, just opportunity for health and wealth! WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: Breaking Down Systemic Injustices in Healthcare TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS:  The Praxis Project (@Praxis_Project); ...

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Meet the 2021 Exito! Latino Cancer Research Trainees


Exito 2021 summer institute cohort of latino training participants

Program leaders have selected 26 aspiring Latino researchers from across the nation to join the 2021 cohort of Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training at UT Health San Antonio. Each year, Éxito! recruits U.S. master’s level students and professionals to participate in a five-day, culturally tailored Éxito! summer institute to promote pursuit of a doctoral degree and cancer research. The 26 new participants were selected from a deep pool of applicants. Each participant now will join the Éxito! summer institute on June 7-11, 2021 in San Antonio. They will interact with Latino researchers and doctoral experts to learn about Latino cancer, succeeding in a doctoral program, and the diversity of research careers. Meet the 2021 Éxito! Ccohort Leslie Aragon, ...

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Liz Sanchez: Surviving Breast Cancer on Her Own Terms


Liz Sanchez - san antonio breast cancer survivor

By Liz Sanchez Breast Cancer Survivor in San Antonio My name Liz Sanchez and I am a cancer survivor — twice, since 2010. I was first diagnosed with breast cancer on December 16, 2010, at the age of 39. It was approximately one week before Christmas. So as you can imagine, my holidays were ruined for me. My OB/GYN sent me for my first mammogram and this is how it was discovered. My doctor moved quickly by setting me up with an oncologist and surgeon. I was diagnosed at stage 2. My BRCA test was negative and my family did not have a history of breast cancer. My grandfather’s sister passed of stage 4 breast cancer, but it skipped a generation. I had my tumor removed surgically on Jan. 11, 2011. I then underwent radiation therapy only. I refused to have chemo. Being ...

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Dr. Amelie Ramirez: Answering the Big Questions on COVID-19 Vaccines


Dr. Amelie Ramirez san antonio women's hall of fame

Some groups get vaccinated for the COVID-19 vaccine at much lower rates. Why is this? How can we build vaccine confidence? Dr. Amelie Ramirez and her team at UT Health San Antonio are working hard to promote vaccine confidence and answer big questions about the vaccine. Ramirez is doing this in a variety of ways: Creating the Salud America! COVID-19 Vaccine “Change of Heart” Bilingual Storytelling Campaign to share real people who moved from vaccine hesitancy to vaccine confidence. Producing Salud America!'s weekly updated post on U.S. vaccination rates, ways to improve confidence, and how to overcome vaccine misinformation. Joining the Latino USA podcast to answer COVID-19 vaccine questions. Providing a vaccine Q&A for UT Health San Antonio. Joining ...

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