Articles by Josh McCormack

Doctor Fights for Climate Crisis Intervention in Healthcare, Education

November 14, 2019

In 2006, Dr. Susan E. Pacheco experienced a stark paradigm-shift due to an inconvenient truth. She learned that the Earth—and those who inhabit it—could experience destruction and devastation at the hands of climate change. Once Pacheco gained that understanding, she says the only thing left to do was to act. “It’s just the knowledge,” Pacheco said. “Just knowing that this is happening and that medical students, residents, and doctors don’t have the benefit of that knowledge. I have to do something. I just can’t sit and keep this knowledge to myself. “That’s why I’ve been so engaged in educational activities that have to do with climate education because it cannot be ignored.” Introduction to Helping others Through Healthcare Pacheco is one of the few ...

Salud Talks Podcast Episode 10: “Streets Found Wanting”

November 13, 2019

When was the last time you didn't use your car to get around? A lack of transportation options and safe streets make it too difficult for too many Americans to not use personal vehicles, according to Ian Thomas, the State and Local Program Director of America Walks. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode 10, "Streets Found Wanting"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on auto-dependence and how that reliance impacts everyone GUESTS: Ian Thomas, the State and Local Program Director of America Walks WHERE: Available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tune In, and others WHEN: The episode went live at 8:30 a.m., Nov. 13, 2019 In this episode, we explored questions such as: Why is it that ...

Salud Talks Podcast Episode Nine: “An Endangered Community”

November 6, 2019

Is your town quickly becoming unlivable? That's the case for Jose Luis Ortiz, a farmer and an environmental activist with the Los Jardines Institute. He describes how, despite what some might think, climate change is already destroying his home. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode Nine, "An Endangered Community"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on the current, real-time impacts of climate change GUESTS: Jose Luis Ortiz, an environmental activist with the Los Jardines Institute WHERE: Available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tune In, and others WHEN: The episode went live at 11 a.m., Nov. 6, 2019 In this episode, we explored questions such as: How is the climate crisis impacting ...

Cancer Survivor Strives to Change Men’s Health Culture with Cross-Country Road Trip

November 4, 2019

Nine-thousand miles. That's nearly the number Gabe Canales, founder of Blue Cure—a prostate cancer support and awareness group—traveled earlier this year. He took this journey to advocate for something he believes is too essential to overlook: Promoting men's health. Before beginning this advocacy road trip, Canales struggled with his own life-changing, adverse health experience — in 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. "I really wasn't concerned at all with my health or other men's health before then," Canales said. "Sadly, it sometimes takes a person getting sick for them to look at their own health. There were some other factors after that led me to be very driven to do something for men's health issues overall." A Cancer Diagnosis Too Soon At 35 years old, ...

Salud Talks Podcast Episode Eight: “Healing Generational Wounds”

October 30, 2019

Too many American families struggle with cancer. That’s why the American Cancer Society is fighting for less cancer incidence and greater awareness. Kyle Deleon, Texas Grassroots Manager with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, joins Salud Talks to share his personal journey and what his organization is doing to reach that goal. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode Eight, "Healing Generational Wounds"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on cancer incidence and awareness GUESTS: Kyle DeLeon, Texas Grassroots Manager with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network WHERE: Available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tune In, and others WHEN: The episode went live at ...

San Antonio to Combat ‘Climate Emergency’ with New Action Plan

October 29, 2019

One of America’s highest Latino-populated cities now has a strategy to address the climate crisis. Earlier this month, the San Antonio (64% Latino) City Council passed Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) by a 10-1 vote. It outlines objectives that will aim to reduce the city’s greenhouse emissions by 2050 and achieve climate equity for all populations. This plan follows in suit with many cities across the U.S. that are taking personal responsibility for its role in the climate crisis. “We declare that we will not be bystanders,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said, according to the Rivard Report. “In no simpler terms, here and around the world, we are in a climate emergency.” What Does the Climate Action Plan Say? The main goal is to make the city and its ...

Too Many Baby Food Brands Contain Heavy Metals

October 17, 2019

The vast majority of major baby foods brands contain toxic heavy metals, recent data show. Of the 168 popular brands tested, 95% contained lead, 73% contained arsenic, 75% contained cadmium, and 32% contained mercury, finds Healthy Babies Bright Futures' newly published report. These numbers should be troubling, as even low levels of these kinds of toxins can cause harm as they build up, according to Dr. Philip Landrigan, pediatrician and Director of the Program in Global Public Health and the Common Good in the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society at Boston College. "Arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals are known causes of neurodevelopmental harm," Landrigan said. "Low-level exposures add up, and exposures in early life are especially dangerous. The cumulative ...

Salud Talks Podcast Episode Seven: “Public Health’s Wonder Woman”

October 16, 2019

Who is your hero? Well, Salud Talks’ is Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, the director of Salud America! and it's home, the Institute for Health Promotion Research in the Department of Population Health Sciences at UT Health San Antonio. Despite being one of the busiest people in this field, Dr. Ramirez joins us for a discussion on public health, the Latino community, and why both topics influence everyone. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode Seven, "Public Health's Wonder Woman"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on public health and the Latino community GUESTS: Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! and it's home, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio WHERE: Available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, ...

Census Bureau: We Aim to Count Each Person Because Everyone Counts

October 10, 2019

Abiding by the constitution’s directive to number the population once a decade, the U.S. Census Bureau is in full swing preparing for the 2020 survey. Area offices across the country are opening to begin recruiting census takers, establish community partnerships, and inform every person of why they should participate. Additionally, this is the first time the census will be available online for every person in America—regardless of citizenship status—to complete. This survey is too important to overlook, primarily because it influences funding and lawmaking, according to Lloyd Doggett, U.S. Representative for Texas’ 35th District, who spoke at the grand opening of the San Antonio (64% Latino) Census Area Offices on Thursday. “Based on the census count, the federal ...

About the Author

Josh McCormack

Connect with Josh: