Articles by Josh McCormack

11/2/21 #SaludTues Tweetchat: The Climate Crisis and Latinos

October 5, 2021

Climate change is making life harder for Latinos and other communities of color. A groundbreaking 2019 study estimated that Black and Latino populations experience 56% and 63% more pollution respectively than their activities cause. Cities across the U.S. will experience harsher extreme weather events and increases in daily temperatures, and some might no longer be inhabitable. How can we help? Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, to discuss emerging strategies to reduce the use of harmful chemicals and toxins, promote clean indoor and outdoor air, and engage Latinos in speaking up for a cleaner climate and environment! WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat “The Climate Crisis and Latinos” WHEN: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 WHERE: ...

San Jose to Ban Smoking Inside Apartments, Selling of Flavored Tobacco Products

September 30, 2021

Ban Smoking Inside Flavored Tobacco Products

Lots of small cities in California have taken two big steps to protect youth from smoking addiction and secondhand smoke —banning flavored tobacco products and smoking inside all apartment homes. Now San Jose will become the state’s largest city to take both steps. The San Jose City Council is expected to formally approve the bans during a vote on Oct. 5, according to The Mercury News. “The tobacco industry has a stronghold on our kiddos — enticing them with flavors and leading them to a life of addiction,” Councilwoman Magdalena Carrasco, a champion of the proposed ban, said Monday. “Banana split, Kool-aid, Hawaiian punch, gummy bears — all of these e-cigarette flavors may taste like candy but it’s poison to our children.” San Jose’s New Ban on Smoking ...

Salud Talks Podcast Episode 38: “How to Empathetically Discuss the COVID-19 Vaccine”

September 29, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccine is a contentious topic for many Latinos and Americans. The divide between those who are vaccinated and those who are unsure or don’t want to get the shot grows wider every day. But we can use compassion and cultural relevancy when promoting vaccine benefits with our loved ones who are unsure about the shot, according to two medical experts, Claudia Pineda, a physician assistant in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Dr. Katya Corado, a researcher with The Lundquist Institute. Listen to Claudia Pineda and Katy Corado in the newest Salud Talks Podcast, Episode 38, “How to Empathetically Discuss the COVID-19 Vaccine,” to learn how to have better conversations about COVID-19 vaccination! LISTEN! WHAT: A #SaludTalks Podcast discussion about the COVID-19 vaccine and ...

5 Key Moments in Modern History for Latinos

September 28, 2021

Latinos have played a major role in the development of the United States. This diverse demographic, today the nation’s largest racial/ethnic minority, has helped make the country the great melting pot it is. And despite an ongoing battle against discrimination and health disparities, Latino leaders continue to push their community to keep up hope and fight for what Cesar Chavez called La Causa, a term used to describe the struggle for equity. “In the end, the American dream is not a sprint, or even a marathon, but a relay,” said Julian Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. “Our families don’t always cross the finish line in the span of one generation. But each generation passes on to the next the fruits of their labor.” For Hispanic Heritage ...

Report: Latino College Students Less Likely to Seek Mental Health Services

September 22, 2021

Many Latino youth face declining mental health amid the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, a racial/ethnic social justice movement, and economic hardships. Sadly, many aren’t getting the help they need, either. About 65% of Latino college students have mental health issues that go untreated, as they are less likely than their white peers to engage with campus mental health services, according to a new study from researchers at University of California, Riverside. “This means counselors can identify a culturally sensitive, value-driven approach to encouraging greater participation in campus mental health services, instead of focusing only on students’ ethnicity in their outreach efforts” said study senior author Kalina Michalska. “Given the increasing diversity among U.S. ...

5 Unique Ways to Improve K-12 Education for Latino Students

September 21, 2021

Early education can make a huge impact on the lives of children — especially its effects on economic opportunities, college prep, and finding a good-paying job. Yet it is far too common for Latinos and other disadvantaged students to face barriers for quality K-12 education. That’s why The Brookings Institution, a nonprofit policy organization, recently published five policy recommendations that can make a huge difference in the education of Latino students. “Latino students in particular constitute a significant and growing portion of the U.S. student population yet are often overlooked in education literature because they are not the lowest performing demographic,” the report states. “We considered factors that may’ve influenced student performance, including both ...

Cesar Chavez: A Hero Who Fought for the Rights of Latino Workers

September 17, 2021

For years, Latino farmworkers suffered at the hands of corrupt businesses who underpaid laborers and took advantage of such workers. In response to these intolerant and harmful practices, one Latino stood up for the rights of his community — Cesar Chavez. He created organizations and led strikes focused on La Causa, “a movement to organize Mexican American farm workers.” Chavez’s action led to many protections for Latino workers throughout the U.S. For Chavez, it was his desire to help fellow Latinos that spurred his action. “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community,” he said. “Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” For ...

Salud Talks Podcast Episode 37: “COVID-19 and Health Disparities Impacting Latinos”

September 15, 2021

Health disparities have impacted Latinos for many years. Worse, the COVID-19 pandemic only worsened these inequities. Still, these issues have gained national attention, and, hopefully, spur action, change. Recently, experts from the National Institutes of Health and UT Health San Antonio joined our Salud Talks podcast to discuss the COVID-19, health inequities, and the struggles Latinos face in the US today. Listen to the Salud Talks Podcast, Salud Talks Podcast, Episode 37: “COVID-19 and Health Disparities Impacting Latinos,” as we dive into the health inequities affecting Latinos during the pandemic with two celebrated medical experts! listen! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion about the COVID-19, historic health disparities, and how these factors have impacted the ...

When it Comes to Climate Change, Latino Family Values Matter

September 2, 2021

Family is a critical aspect in the lives of many Latinos. Moreover, research has shown that members of Latino families can heavily influence each other when it comes to physical, mental health and a wide range of political views. This includes the way this population views climate change, according to a recent report from Cornell University. “Feeling a sense of connection and commitment to your family, and believing that family considerations should guide our everyday decisions, may shape consensus views within a family, including for a societal problem like climate change,” Adam Pearson, an associate professor of psychological science at Pomona College, told the Cornell Chronicle. “And this may have implications for the sharing of climate beliefs and concerns within Latino ...

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Josh McCormack

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