Cancer patients with unmet needs for support – in areas from finances to emotions – are more likely to experience worse clinical outcomes, according to a new study led by Dr. Frank Penedo of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. Who are the cancer patients at highest risk for having unmet needs? Latinos, Blacks, and people who experience anxiety, depression, pain, poor physical function, and low health-related quality-of-life scores. "Our findings offer strong evidence that unmet supportive care needs are associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes, particularly higher risk for ED visits and hospitalizations," Dr. Penedo said, according to a news release. Let’s dive into unmet needs and what they mean for Latino cancer ...
As a child in Puerto Rico, Alberto Martin dreamed of playing professional soccer. He knew that becoming a soccer pro meant lots of hard work, practice, and willpower to get better even when you’re tired and want to give up. Today, Martin is using those lessons to become a different kind of pro – a doctor. Martin is a second-year medical student at the Universidad Central del Caribe in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and an intern at UT Health San Antonio’s Institute for Health Promotion Research. He is motivated to share his story to demonstrate how following your dream – on the soccer field or the doctor’s office – can be reality. “Stories and information you get, they just become such a powerful source of drive or inspiration. Because you want to see you, ...
The Latino population increased to 63,664,346 in 2022, representing 19.1% of the total U.S. population, according to new Census data. Here is everything you need to know about the growing number of Latinos.
Latinos by The Numbers
The number of Latinos in the U.S. grew by 1,017,302, a 1.7% increase, from 2021 to 2022. California (15,732,180), Texas (12,068,549), and Florida (6,025,030) continue as the US states with the largest Latino populations. New York (3,867,076) was the only state to experience a drop (-0.7%, -27,522) in the Latino population. South Dakota had the fastest-growing Latino population (2,835 residents), with an increase of 6.8%. By county, Los Angeles County had the largest Latino population (4,766,616), followed by Harris ...
Summer heat waves are increasingly more severe due to climate change, making it important to ensure children’s safety amid rising temperatures. While essentials like sunscreen, hats, and shade are important, one of the most crucial steps is keeping children hydrated. Let’s dive into hydration and other ways to help families stay safe this summer!
1. Drink Water
The Institute of Medicine recommends that children ages 4 to 8 drink about 2 quarts of water a day, with the amount going up as they get older. Teenage boys should drink 3.5 quarts of water a day, and teenage girls 2.4 quarts a day. How much more water should children drink amid the summer heat? “There is no exact calculation for figuring out how much water is enough as kids run around faster ...
Many in the US East Coast recently experienced heavy smoke exposure due to a series of wildfires burning in Canada. “This Canadian crisis has not been limited to the Great North. Smoke from the fires has spread across a large portion of the U.S., affecting air quality for millions across the East Coast, as the fires rage on without signs of stopping,” according to CBS News. This has further brought attention to the importance of wildfire safety. Let’s dive into this issue, how it impacts others, and key safety tips everyone should know!
How Do Wildfires and Smoke Impact Safety?
Dry conditions in much of the US can increase the potential for wildfires in or near wilderness areas, which can cause harmful smoke, according to the CDC. “This smoke can ...
Over 3.5 million children participated in early childhood programs as of 2020. Preschool and other early childhood education programs can greatly benefit children, especially Latino children. In fact, studies have shown that low-income Latino kids who attended early education programs at age 4 attain stronger academic skills. Let’s use #SaludTues on July 11, 2023, to explore early childhood education and how we can ensure that its many benefits reach Latino children. WHAT: #SaludTues: How Do Latino Children Benefit from Preschool?
TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues
HOST: Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio (@SaludAmerica)
CO-HOSTS: Public Health Maps ...
You can get help eating healthier from the Green Wellness Program: Plants-2-Plate, a 6-month program led by Wellness 360 at UT Health San Antonio. Plant-based food is the heart of the program. “The mission of the UT Health San Antonio Green Wellness Program: Plants-2-Plate is to make lives better by promoting lifestyle change, including a plant-predominant eating pattern to achieve optimal health,” according to the program webpage. Get information on how to join!
Can a Plant-Based Diet Work for You?
The future of humanity depends on building healthier, plant-based food systems. A plant-based diet focuses on food that comes primarily from plants including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, and legumes. Some people experience different ...
Latino families with children are still experiencing COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions to their childcare arrangements, according to a new data analysis from the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families (NRCHCF). Childcare disruptions are defined as the inability of any children in a household to attend a care arrangement because of closure, lack of availability or affordability, or safety concerns. From summer 2021 to summer 2022, these childcare disruptions remained prevalent among Latino households with children younger than 12, particularly those with children younger than 5, according to the NRCHCF analysis. Let’s explore these disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and how it continues to impact Latino families today.
The State ...
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program provides temporary support to help people and families afford food. But SNAP benefits are often under fire. After Trump-era efforts to curb SNAP benefits and the recent expiration of COVID-era SNAP increases, some lawmakers are pushing to add more work requirements to qualify for eligibility. Under the House’s proposed expansion of work requirements to parents and caregivers, as many as four million children could go hungry. “Millions of low-income households, [people from overlooked communities], and their families rely on basic supports to access health care, feed themselves, afford childcare, and survive financial and health insecurity,” according to a UnidosUs blog. “Cuts to these ...
