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Alyssa Escalante

Articles by Alyssa Escalante

How Do Latinos in the U.S. View Their Identity?


Latino family having dinner.

Latinos account for 1 in 5 people in the United States. Among this group, most Latinos say their heritage is an important part of their identity, according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center. In fact, 61% of Latinos said that “being Hispanic is an extremely or very important part of how they think about themselves,” according to a survey of 4,923 U.S. Latino adults in English and Spanish from October 2025. Even with this identity, Latinos are divided over whether it helps or hurts them. So, let’s dive deeper into the new survey and what it means for Latinos in the United States. Latino Identity: Labels and Names Among U.S. Latinos, 18% most often describe themselves as “American.” The remaining Latinos more often use a label that reflects their ...

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Study: Rates of Alcohol Use Disorder Higher in People with Disabilities


Person with alcohol problem.

1 in 6 Latinos in the U.S. live with a physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disability that impacts how they navigate life and health, according to the Cisneros Institute. Tailored healthcare resources can help. This includes treatment for alcohol use disorder that addresses the unique needs of people with disabilities – who are diagnosed with alcohol use disorders at more than three times the rate of adults without disabilities, according to a new study by Boston University. Let’s dig deeper into this research and why it matters for overall health. Alcohol Use Disorders among People with Disabilities Alcohol use disorder is “a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health ...

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Get Tips on Better Nutrition with Nutrition Navigation


Couple meal prepping at kitchen counter.

Healthy eating can be a challenge for many different reasons. Lack of access to grocery stores, rising food costs, and lack of awareness of how to eat healthy are just a few reasons why some people have worse nutritional diets than others. That’s where Nutrition Navigation can help. Nutrition Navigation is a new virtual nutrition counseling service from Healthier Texas that is designed to connect Texans with personalized, evidence-based care from registered dietitians. Let’s dive deeper into this tool and see how it can help Texas families and communities. The Benefits of Nutrition Navigation Nutrition Navigation was created to help combat the barriers that communities face when it comes to understanding and practicing better nutrition. Through Nutrition Navigation, ...

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3 Bilingual Type 1 Diabetes Resources to Help Latinos and Families


Hispanic Male Using Insulin Pen at Breakfast Table with a Smile

There are 1.5 million people in the U.S. living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Nearly 200,000 of the people living with type 1 diabetes in the US are under the age of 20. What’s more,13% of Latinos in the U.S. have T1D. “The prevalence of type 1 diabetes is increasing across all populations, most significantly among Hispanic youth,” according to Breakthrough T1D. This shows the importance of access to educational tools and resources to help Latinos and families navigate type 1 diabetes and that’s where Breakthrough T1D can help. Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) is the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization. With a mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications, no organization ...

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How Do Parents’ Jobs Impact Family Life


Father working at computer with child.

More than half (52%) of parents say that their job makes it harder to be a good parent, according to a report from the Pew Research Center. This especially takes a toll on working moms. In fact, 62% of full-time working moms say it’s difficult for them to balance work and family responsibilities, compared with 47% of dads. “Compared with dads, working moms take on more at home and have a harder time finding balance,” Pew Research states. Let’s dive deeper into this topic and how it impacts parents and families. Working Parents by the Numbers Of the nation's 85.9 million families, 79.8%  had at least one employed member in 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. It can be difficult to define the line between work and family for many U.S. working ...

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Neil Meade: Fighting Fires and Beating Thyroid Cancer



The blare of firetruck sirens, the glow of buildings ablaze, and the thick smell of smoke are all too familiar for Neil Meade. As a seasoned firefighter in San Antonio, he’s faced many dangers and helped others through life-threatening situations. But nothing could prepare him for a cancer diagnosis. Meade, a devoted family man and veteran of countless emergency calls, suddenly found himself battling a personal, silent, unpredictable opponent — thyroid cancer. A Passion for Serving People Meade, a native of Chicago, moved to San Antonio with his parents, returned to Chicago, but eventually returned to San Antonio and lives here now. He started his service career in the Air Force. “I spent eight years on active duty in the Air Force, and when I got out ... I tested ...

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4 Resources to Explore for Men’s Health Month


Men's Health Month graphic

The month of June is recognized as Men’s Health Month. It’s a time to educate, start conversations, and share resources on men’s health. This year’s theme is “Partners in Care: Advancing Men’s Health Through Connection, Education, & Advocacy Across the Lifespan — for Better Lifespans,” according to the Men’s Health Network. “Health behaviors, access to care, and long-term outcomes are shaped by relationships with partners, families, caregivers, friends, and communities,” Men’s Health Network states. “When men are supported through shared advocacy, education, empathy, and connection, outcomes improve not only for men, but for everyone connected to them.” Let’s look into resources you can find and share with others during Men’s Health ...

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