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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

Abril es el Mes Nacional de la Salud de las Minorías


Latin family sitting in the street

Abril es el Mes Nacional de la Salud de las Minorías. Este es un tiempo dedicado para concientizar a la comunidad hispana acerca de los altos riesgos de adquirir ciertas enfermedades entre nuestra comunidad. Visita el sitio web de la Oficina de Salud de las Minorías de HHS para descargar materiales, encontrar eventos y compartir tu historia. Nunca es demasiado temprano para tomar medidas y nunca demasiado tarde para comenzar el manejo de la atención hacia enfermedades de las cuales los latinos pueden ser más propensos, por ejemplo la diabetes, la obesidad y el cáncer de seno. Si se trata de una joven aprendiendo sobre su riesgo de cáncer de seno y cuando empezar a hacerse estudios preventivos, o si se trata de un adulto mayor que busca opciones de tratamiento para ...

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Report: More Latino Youth Are Disconnected, Not in School, Not Working


Latina teen young adult sad depressed

More Latino youths are not in school and not working than white youths, according to a new report. These youth—also called "disconnected"—face hurdles as they become adults where they live. This includes lower rates of education, and higher rates of child poverty, unemployment, and teen births. 1 in 8 U.S. youths ages 16-24 are "disconnected." Disconnection, a new measure in the new 2017 County Health Rankings, creates health and economic issues. "Youth disconnected from opportunity—meaning the chance to advance in school, gain work experience, form relationships, and build social supports in the community—represent untapped potential to strengthen the social and economic vibrancy of our communities," according to the report. How to Help The County Health Rankings, ...

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Water Champions Push H2O for Latino Kids, Families



Water isn't magic, but it can help you stay hydrated, control calories, and fuel muscles. But Latino kids don't drink enough water. In fact, Latino kids drink less plain water and more sugary drinks than white kids. That is according to research by Salud America!, a national Latino childhood obesity prevention network at UT Health San Antonio. That’s why we are spotlighting heroes who work hard to push water for Latino kids and families! Praxina Guerra: 5th-Grader Gets Hydration Station in School San Antonio fifth-grader Praxina Guerra and her mentor, Cathy Lopez, are true Salud Heroes when it comes to creating a healthy school environment. Praxina, spurred on by Lopez, joined the city's San Antonio Student Ambassador program and created a student club to encourage ...

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#SaludTues Bilingual Tweetchat 4/4/17: Clinical Trials and Latinos


hispanic latina lady face older

Did you know fewer than 5% percent of Latinos participate in federal clinical trials? Researchers thus have less chance to develop new cancer treatments for this population, which suffers a heavy burden of certain cancers, obesity, and mental health issues. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, to tweet in English and Spanish about the latest strategies to get more Latino into clinical trials for National Minority Health Month in April 2017 and National Public Health Week April 3-9, 2017: WHAT: #SaludTues Bilingual Tweetchat: “Clinical Trials and Latinos” TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, April 4, 2017 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludToday CO-HOSTS: FDA Office of Minority Health (@FDAOMH), FDA En Español ...

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Teachers Who Went Above and Beyond for Latino Students



What makes a great teacher? Great teachers not only work hard to ensure the academic success and leadership skills of their students, they also help students develop healthy habits for life. That's why we at Salud America! are excited to spotlight some teachers who have gone above and beyond for the well-being of their students! Ana Suffle: School Garden Maven El Paso, Texas, shares its border with Mexico. This creates an interesting cultural dynamic where some students cross the border daily from Mexico to go to Bowie High School in El Paso. Ana Suffle, a 15-year teacher at Bowie, said many students eat cheap, addictive fast food instead of traditional Hispanic dishes filled with fresh veggies, spices and tons of flavor, according to a Salud Hero story by Salud ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 3/28/17: Let’s Celebrate National Nutrition Month


food at grocery store latino kids

The nutritional quality of the food we eat will impact our health now and in the long run. For instance, too much salt in one’s diet can increase a person’s chances of having high blood pressure. While eating more fruits and vegetables can help prevent weight gain and reduce one’s risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. Let's use #SaludTues on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, and join a great panel of co-hosts and YOU on Twitter to spread the word about what can be done to promote better nutrition in Latino communities and reduce disparities in chronic disease, as part of National Nutrition Month in March 2017. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: Let’s Celebrate National Nutrition Month TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2017 WHERE: On ...

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In 3rd-Largest U.S. City, Living in Certain Neighborhoods Means Worse Health


Chicago town

Latinos in certain Chicago neighborhoods face worse physical and mental health and more food insecurity than nationwide, according to a new report, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. For the report, the Sinai Community Health Survey 2.0, researchers from the Sinai Urban Health Institute surveyed 1,900 residents in nine ethnically diverse Chicago neighborhoods, including Gage Park (92% Latino), Humboldt Park (89%) and South Lawndale (84%). Chicago is 29% Latino overall. “The data paint a stark and complex picture of health and wellness in many Chicago communities, varied by race, income and ethnicity,” said Dr. Sharon Homan, president of the Sinai Urban Health Institute, told the Sun-Times. “To develop meaningful interventions to improve health, we must first understand the ...

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The Regalados: Husband, Wife Survive Colorectal Cancer Together


Judy & Joe Regalado

After Judy Regalado learned a close friend had died of colorectal cancer in her mid-30s, and after experiencing similar symptoms herself, she knew she had to get checked. But because the San Antonio area resident didn't have a family history or other risk factors, doctors asked her to wait until she turned 50 for a colonoscopy. They told her the symptoms could just be hemorrhoids, and referred her to a gynecologist instead. Judy still felt her symptoms could be something more serious. “I made an appointment with my primary care doctor and insisted on a colonoscopy, and I’m glad I did because I was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer,” Judy said. “If I had not requested to have a colonoscopy, I would have been a statistic.” The colonoscopy caught Judy’s cancer ...

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Linda Moreno, Colorectal Cancer Survivor: “You Need to Get Checked.”


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Linda Moreno and her San Antonio family provide a powerful example of the importance of family history and getting screened for colorectal cancer. One of six children, Moreno has a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach and thyroid cancer. But she had no family history of colorectal cancer. After two of her siblings were suddenly diagnosed with colorectal cancer within two months of each other, Moreno and her three other siblings rushed to get themselves screened. “It was a shock to see my brother and sister diagnosed with colorectal cancer,” Moreno said. “I had my first screening colonoscopy at the age of 33 due to my family history. They found and removed two polyps.” Moreno, a mother of two, is now diligent in keeping a ...

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