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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

Tell EPA Chief Andrew Wheeler: Keep Lead out of Drinking Water!


EPA Wheeler Lead Drinking Water

Earlier this year, the EPA under Andrew Wheeler announced plans to address widespread lead corruption in U.S. public water supplies. In October, the agency released proposed revisions to the Safe Drinking Water Act's "Lead and Copper Rule." These modifications aim to decrease the pervasiveness of the toxin through a series of regulations — including limits on allowed levels of lead in water. Environmentalist groups—including Clean Water Action—are calling for further action. Mainly, they urge for a full replacement of lead services lines throughout the country. If these lines are left intact, they pose a serious concern to Latinos and Americans across the country who face dangerous lead exposure through their drinking water. "Everything else is small potatoes," Erik ...

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Salud Talks Podcast Episode 14: “Modern Myths”


Modern Myths Salud Heroes

Who is your hero? They are as unique as the work they do, but one thing is consistent throughout each of their stories: Taking action to help others. Alejandro Maya, CEO of Sprocket Media Hub, discusses telling those stories through Salud America!'s web-based docuseries, Salud Heroes. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode 14, "Modern Myths"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on telling stories, everyday individuals stepping up, and Salud America!'s Salud Hero series GUEST: Alejandro Maya, CEO of Sprocket Media Hub WHERE: Available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tune In, and others WHEN: The episode went live at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 18, 2019 In this episode, we explored questions ...

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From Living in a Sick Home to Making Others’ Healthy


Hayward Sick Home Score

Bill Hayward learned a disturbing truth when he ventured into the crawlspace underneath his home. For a year, he, his wife Adriana, and other members of their family experienced consistent migraines, mood swings, extreme fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and a host of other health problems — with no root-cause explanation. They sought help from experts and professionals alike to no avail. Using a last-ditch, do-it-yourself test, Bill discovered their home itself was full of mold and that it was responsible for their symptoms. "It's terrifying and heartbreaking," Adriana said. "I felt really hopeless; the medical profession not really knowing what to do with it and dismissing it. It was just a very dark and sad time for our family." Mold and other environmental factors can lead ...

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Salud Talks Podcast Episode 13: “Healthcare Deserts”


STE13 Pic

Rural communities throughout the U.S. do not receive equal access to quality medical treatment. Some live so far from the nearest hospital that they will have to take a day off work to make a doctor's appointment, according to our guest Jordan Rassmussen, the Policy Manager of the Center for Rural Affairs. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode 13, "Healthcare Deserts"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on the inequities rural Latinos and Americans face in receiving healthcare treatment GUEST: Jordan Rassmussen, Policy Manager of the Center for Rural Affairs WHERE: Available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tune In, and others WHEN: The episode went live at 5:00 p.m., Dec. 11, ...

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Salud Talks Podcast Episode 12: “Hazardous Goods”


STE12 Hazardous Goods

Do you know how many harmful chemicals are in the products found in your home, school, office, or car? The reality is most people face exposure to hundreds—if not thousands—every day. We explore this issue in-depth with Mike Schade, "Mind the Store" Campaign Director with Safer Chemicals. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode 12, "Hazardous Goods"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on the widespread use of harmful substances in our products, food packaging, furniture, and more GUEST: Mike Schade, "Mind the Store" Campaign Director with Safer Chemicals. WHERE: Available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tune In, and others WHEN: The episode went live at 3:45 p.m., Dec. 4, 2019 In ...

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Salud Talks Podcast Episode 11: “Homogenizing Hollywood”


Salud Talks Kerry Film

How often do you see Latinos and people of color on the big screen? Kerry Valderrama, president of Alamo City Studios, joins Salud Talks to discuss how his company is creating a culture in which all people can tell their stories through art and film. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode 11, "Homogenizing Hollywood"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on minority representation in art and film GUEST: Kerry Valderrama, president of Alamo City Studios WHERE: Available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tune In, and others WHEN: The episode went live at 9:00 a.m., Nov. 20, 2019 In this episode, we explored questions such as: Why does cultural representation in art and film matter? ...

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Doctor Fights for Climate Crisis Intervention in Healthcare, Education


Pacheco Healthcare Climate Change

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 ...

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Salud Talks Podcast Episode 10: “Streets Found Wanting”


Streets Ian Thomas Salud Talks

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 ...

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Salud Talks Podcast Episode Nine: “An Endangered Community”


Jose Luis Climate Salud Talks

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 ...

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