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Josh McCormack

Digital Content Curator, Salud America! Josh McCormack joined Salud America! and its home base, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health​ San Antonio, in February 2019. Graduating from Texas A&M University with a BA in English Literature, he has previously worked in journalism and publishing. Josh enjoys reading; some of his favorite authors include Stephen King, Omar El Akkad and J.R.R. Tolkien.​

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Articles by Josh McCormack

How the Coronavirus is Quietly Killing Off Latino Workers


Coronavirus Quietly Killing Latino Workers

The COVID-19 death toll has nearly reached 200,000 in America — a number that, at one time, was one of the highest estimates from health professionals. Nevertheless, America still finds itself in the grips of a pandemic. Worse, Latinos and other people of color who face the toughest social and health inequities are also experiencing the hardest coronavirus impacts and outcomes across the nation. This is true in California, where the death rate among working-age Latinos has skyrocketed, according to a recent report from UCLA. “As the coronavirus works its deadly way into every nook and cranny of California’s population, its victims’ profiles become clearer and clearer: they are the unsung essential workers,” researchers from the University’s Center for the Study of ...

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How Do People of Color Feel about the Social Determinants of Health?


People of Color Feel Social Determinants Health

Health has become a huge priority in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. People of color, who face COVID-19 disparities as the virus worsens systemic social and economic inequities, are increasingly worried about holistic health. More Black and Latino Texans believe that the areas of life not typically associated with medical care—housing, education, racism, and other social determinants—directly impact their overall health than their white peers, according to a recently published survey from the Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF). "Texans across racial backgrounds agree that many non-medical factors like good air quality and clean water, community safety, and amount of stress are vital to a person's health," EHF writes in a recent press release. "But researchers ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 9/22: Dental Disparities Among Latinos


Dental Disparities Among Latinos

Dental health is vital for everyone — including Latinos. Unfortunately, this group, as well as other disadvantaged communities face significant barriers in accessing and practicing dental health. As the pandemic continues, advocates are making one thing clear: better health policies are needed now. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, to tweet about dental health and how some groups face significant inequities in this issue! WHAT: #SaludTues: Dental Disparities Among Latinos TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: @DeltaDentalInst, @OralHealthWatch, @oralhealthforum, @AIDPHorg ADDITIONAL HASHTAGS: #COVID19 We’ll open the floor to your ...

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Report: COVID-19 Is Causing Money Trouble for Half of Families in Major Cities


COVID-19 Money Trouble Half Families Cities

The United States is one of the world’s financial powerhouses, but COVID-19 is causing economic unrest and uncovering a growing wealth divide. In fact, half of households are experiencing monetary problems amid the COVID-19 outbreak in the nation’s four largest cities, all of which have large Latino populations—New York City (29.1% Latino), Los Angeles (48.6%), Chicago (29%), and Houston (44.8%)—according to a recent study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). These new data reveal the problem is mainly impacting Latinos and other individuals facing disadvantage, according to Dr. Robert Blendon, professor of Public Health and Political Analysis at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “These communities remain so vulnerable and in some serious ...

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As Schools Reopen, Latino Students Face COVID-19 Health Inequities


Students wearing mask for protect corona virus or covid-19 and doing exam in classroom with stress.

Schools and colleges across the U.S. have reopened for in-person classroom instruction — a decision that has greatly divided advocates and civic officials. What's not up for debate is the fact that Latinos and other people of color are facing the brunt of COVID-19's severe direct and indirect impacts. Coronavirus significantly affects Latino children, as they comprise 44.7% of COVID-19 deaths among those ages 0-24. These data suggest that public school students of color, as well as their parents, are facing legitimate fears when it comes to catching coronavirus and its effects, according to Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. "Latinos have been hospitalized four times as much as people who are white," Weingarten told The 74 Million. "What ...

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Is Your Hand Sanitizer Fighting COVID-19 or is it Toxic?



As everyone adapts to a quickly spreading coronavirus, many are taking every precaution necessary to avoid infection and spread — including practicing good hygiene. Using hand sanitizer is a popular way to keep your hands clean and avoid coronavirus. Companies throughout the world have ramped up production of these kinds of items to meet the demands of consumers reacting to the wide sweeping nature of this pandemic. Still, not every company has the best intentions, according to New Jersey physician anesthesiologist Dr. Nina Radcliff. “Hand sanitizers that are deemed safe and used effectively can serve as a secondary method of hand washing,” Radcliff writes in a recent The Press of Atlantic City health column. “But not all hand sanitizers are created equal and it’s ...

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Back to School: COVID-19 and Education


Back School COVID-19 Education

Despite the nation's high rates of coronavirus infections, transitions, and deaths, many U.S. schools reopened for the fall semester. Some school districts have chosen to adhere to stricter guidelines through remote learning, while others are implementing in-person teaching with specific safety protocols, and others a hybrid of virtual and in-person. Whatever type of learning, the bottom line is that COVID-19 has not gone away. Outbreaks are happening, and teaching in school only adds to the risk of spreading coronavirus infection, according to Margie Kochsmier, an infection preventionist with FHN Healthcare System in Freeport, Ill. "Anyone—including children—can get COVID-19. Generally, children tend to have more mild symptoms, but it's important to remember that anyone ...

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Coronavirus and its Destructive Impacts on Farmworkers, Rural Communities


Coronavirus Destructive Communities Rural

Latino farmworkers living in rural communities are experiencing some of the most devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic. These laborers are experiencing high rates of COVID-19 infections. Their access to medical care, which was limited even before the virus, has only worsened during the pandemic. On top of everything else, farmworkers are also having to battle against poor workplace treatment, according to Rosalinda Guillen, the Executive Director of Community to Community Development. "There's just a myriad of indignities that the workers suffered at those packing sheds that we're hearing from other workers in other areas where the same thing is happening over and over and over again," Guillen said. "It is about the disease. It is about workers feeling that finally it ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 8/25: Secondhand Smoke and COVID-19



Smoking kills — it also harms those who work near, live with, or are close to a smoker. Newfound data shows that researchers are beginning to link secondhand smoke exposure and worsened COVID-19 outcomes. As the pandemic continues to spread throughout the US, health advocates are calling for more significant restrictions on smoke exposure. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, to tweet about secondhand smoke exposure, it’s harmful impacts, and how it can influence someone’s experience with COVID-19! WHAT: #SaludTues: Secondhand Smoke and COVID-19 TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: @ANR_Smokefree PARTICIPANTS: @tobaccofreefla ...

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