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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

Leading Cancer Research Centers Reinforce Importance of Safe, Effective HPV Vaccination to Prevent Cancer


Hispanic mom kids hpv vaccination

Today, the Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas San Antonio Health Science Center, along with 61 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers with leading national organizations and the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center have endorsed a joint statement urging the nation’s health care systems, physicians and other health care providers and professionals, parents, and caregivers, and the public to promote and choose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for cancer prevention. HPV vaccination is safe and works to prevent six types of cancer (oropharyngeal, cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile). Recently released National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen data show no gains in HPV vaccination over the last few years indicating urgent ...

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Watch Webinar: What You Should Know about Your Amazing Liver



Your liver is a key to overall health, performing hundreds of essential functions in your body. Find out the latest in liver health issues and solutions at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “What You Should Know about Your Amazing Liver,” which occurred at 11 a.m. Central on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. This webinar featured expert panelists from Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio, Texas Liver Institute, Genentech, and more to explore the state of liver health in South Texas. Panelists examined the oversized impact of liver disease and liver cancer and its causes among South Texas residents, who are predominantly Latino, and beyond Texas. Understanding the reasons why this is happening can reveal how to address this health issue and prevent liver cancer among Latinos and ...

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13 Key Drivers of the Latino Cancer Burden, According to Researchers


13 drivers of cancer burden

In the United States, cancer is a significant public health challenge. For example, among Latinos, who are 19.5% of the population, rates are higher and prognoses are poorer than other groups. The Latino cancer burden is driven by complex interactions in 13 key areas, according to a new publication from the Task Force: Latino Researchers Against Cancer in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. The task force, led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio and comprised of specialists in oncology, public health, and behavioral sciences, spent a year meeting together to unpack the influences contributing to cancer, from genetics to societal practices. "Findings highlight environmental hazards, genetic susceptibilities, stigmas, and linguistic barriers as significant ...

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6 Reasons to Come to the Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations Conference!


advancing cancer research in latinos and all populations conf 2026

Cancer is tied with heart disease as the top cause of death for Latinos. To help us address cancer in Latinos and all people, register now for the 2026 Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference on Feb. 18-20, 2026, at the Plaza San Antonio, Texas, led by the Institute for Health Promotion Research and Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. The 2026 ACR conference will unite cancer survivors, caregivers, researchers, doctors, and others to discuss the latest in cancer research, knowledge, and action. The health of Latinos is important for the nation, where nearly one in three people are expected to be Latino within 30 years, and cancer advances made for this population has applicability for all people. "We hope to present timely research on every ...

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In the News: San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program


San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program Firefighter Tour at MCC 4-17-25 1

The new San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program aims to better understand and reduce the cancer burden among local firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, thanks to the partnership of the San Antonio Fire Department, UT Health San Antonio, and Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami. The program, launched in April 2025, is gaining media coverage: Firefighter with cancer praises new research partnerships between SAFD and cancer center, KSAT-12 TV New UT Health program aims to prevent cancer in San Antonio firefighters, Texas Public Radio UT Health Science Center leading research into cancer rates among firefighters, Spectrum News Héroes sin capa y entre llamas: la lucha silenciosa de los bomberos, KVDA-TV ...

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Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Helps Study of Quality of Life During Immunotherapy Treatment


immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been a game-changer in oncology. Tumors often have proteins on them that tell your immune system not to attack. Checkpoint inhibitors, which work by blocking these proteins so your immune system continues to fight the tumor, have provided new options for many people with advanced or metastatic cancer who were left with limited options. Patricia Moreno, Ph.D., lead of Evidence-Based Survivorship Supportive Care at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, points out that these new drugs come with unique side effects that experts still need to understand better. The National Cancer Institute has awarded Dr. Moreno, a member of Sylvester’s Cancer Control Program, and co-investigators Jose ...

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Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Named to Susan G. Komen Scientific Advisory Board


Amelie-Ramirez-of-UT-Health-San-Antonio Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Susan G. Komen Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, was named to Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board. Komen's 10-member Scientific Advisory Board provides strategic guidance and direction for its research and scientific programs. It also plays a key role in guiding and prioritizing Komen’s global research investment and serves as the executive committee of the Komen Scholars. Dr. Ramirez's appointment is effective April 1, 2025. “I am honored to serve on Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board. I look forward to being a part of Komen’s extensive activities to address breast cancer and the non-medical drivers of health among people of all backgrounds," Ramirez said. Dr. Ramirez & Her Health ...

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‘San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program’ Launches at UT Health San Antonio


To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health San Antonio, and Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami have partnered to launch the San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program.

Cancer is a big concern for firefighters in San Antonio. Firefighting is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of death among firefighters. Studies have shown that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population. Within the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), more than 70 firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years, including leukemia to multiple myeloma and cancers of the brain, thyroid, colon, prostate, and testicles. Many cases also go unreported. To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health ...

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Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Is Helping Cancer Survivors Tell Their Stories



Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, joined Coastal Living TV in Corpus Christi, Texas, to share how cancer survivors can join the Avanzando Caminos study. Avanzando Caminos is a study that aims to help cancer survivors. The study aims to enroll 1,500 Latino cancer survivors in South Texas and 1,500 more in Miami to help unpack the behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on life after cancer. As part of the study, volunteers share their cancer journeys. "So far, the individuals who've participated have been really grateful. They said, 'I've never had a chance to tell my story about what I went through,'" Ramirez said. "It will help us take a deeper look into how we can help our ...

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