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Amanda Merck

Merck completed her MPH with a concentration in Physical Activity and Health. She curates content for Salud America! (@SaludAmerica), a Latino childhood obesity prevention project based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She focuses on the latest research, resources, and stories related to policy, systems, and environmental changes to enhance equitable access to safe places for kids and families to walk, bike, and play.

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Articles by Amanda Merck

Infographics About Walking



Because walking has numerous health benefits, it shouldn't be so complicated to figure out where kids and families can walk safely and be physically active in nature. The following infographics (English and Spanish) from the National Recreation and Parks Association, EverybodyWalk, National Environmental Education Foundation, Active Living Research,and the Surgeon General demonstrate how powerful nature walks are to transform your health and why everyone deserves safe access to parks and places to walk. National Recreation and Parks Association - Safe Routes to Parks National Recreation and Parks Association - The Power of Parks EverybodyWalk - Anatomy of Walking EverybodyWalk - Health Benefits of Walking Health Benefits of Walking in Spanish National ...

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Michigan Breastfeeding Network Supports Businesses that Supports Working Families



The Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) develops and supports education programs, materials, and conferences that encourage breastfeeding in Michigan (4.9% Latino). One method is through their MI Breastfeeding-Friendly Business Project initiative to recognize companies in compliance with the federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers legislation and celebrate employers that go above and beyond federal requirements to support families. MIFBFN recognizes newly awarded businesses and creates positive press to encourage current, and future employees, clients, patients, patrons, stakeholders, partners, and all of Michigan to support businesses that support working families. MIBFN provides a press release  to distribute to local media outlets; provides a sample article for the ...

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Univision Features Salud Heroes Can Do Houston



In the U.S. over 39% of Latino children are overweight or obese, according to Salud America!. With this in mind Can Do Houston, a nonprofit partnered with Houston ISD and the City of Houston’s Department of Park and Recreation to help kids stay physically active by taking them on a school bus from Briscoe Elementary School to Mason Park. Recently Univision highlighted their efforts as part of their Semana de la salud and interviewed Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America!. Watch the video here. Read their story ...

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San Antonio Area Foundation Offering Community-at-Large Grant



The San Antonio Area Foundation Annual Responsive Grant for Community-at-Large Grants are intended for programs that improve the safety and welfare of vulnerable and under-served populations, increase chances for individual/family success and self-sufficiency. Who is eligible to apply? Nonprofit organizations, schools, churches or governmental bodies that serve Bexar and the following surrounding counties: Frio, Atascosa, Karnes, Wilson, Guadalupe, Gonzales, Comal, Blanco, Kendall, Gillespie, Kerr, Bandera and Medina are eligible to submit an application. Applications are due July 15, 2016. Learn more about the Annual Responsive Grant process here. Access a PowerPoint with information ...

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Data Driven Government and Parks and Recreation



Data plays a key role in driving changes operational, procedural, social, environmental, and political change. In 2015, the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) started hosting Innovation Labs, interactive events to bring the sharpest minds both in and outside the field of parks and recreation to explore how innovative thinking can meet emerging challenges, reduce costs, and better serve the public. In May, 2016, NRPA in conjunction with the City of Boston, the Boston Department of Parks and Recreation, and Sasaki Associates hosted an Innovation Lab to determine how innovation in data driven government could affect the field of parks and recreation, and how public agencies can leverage that data in Boston. Boston (17.5% Latino) hosted this event focused on data because ...

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Interactive Tool Provides Snapshot of Health Disadvantages in California Communities



The conditions in which you live, learn, work, and age affect your health. The Public Health Institute's (PHI) Public Health Alliance of Southern California collaborated with health departments across the state of California (38.8% Latino), developed the new California Health Disadvantage Index to look into these social, environmental, economic, and political factors, called social determinants of health. "The Health Disadvantage Index provides a fine-grained illustration at a geographic level that makes sense to the decision makers that have the greatest ability to impact these social determinants: local elected officials, planners, engineers, investors, NGOs and others," says Tracy Delaney, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Public Health Alliance of Southern California. "By ...

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Keep Your Hydration in Mind on 4th of July



Today is America's favorite holiday, but, as you’re getting ready for the barbecues, picnics, and a fun at the pool or the beach, it’s important to keep your hydration in mind. Sweating during the sizzling heat of July can result in an increased loss of fluids. This can create a problem for our main bodily organs such as the heart, brain, and lungs. Our bodies are 2/3 water and water plays a pivotal role not just in making sure our organs function correctly, but also in removing toxins and waste from our bodies. Doctors recommend that adults drink 2-3 gallons of water a day to stay hydrated, especially during the summer months. Unfortunately at barbecues and picnics, it’s easier to grab sugar-rich vitamin water, sport drinks, or lemonade. For example, according to ...

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Saguaro National Park is Diversifying Outreach Efforts


saguaro national park form nps.gov

Latinos don't visit national parks as often as whites. Why? Cost, lack of transportation, lack of facilities like benches and tables to accommodate large groups or families, lack of shade, lack of diversity among Park Service employees, lack of information about events and activities, and poor marketing in Latino communities have been cited in the past. What can we do? In December, 2015, Saguaro National Park, near Tuscon, Arizona (41.6% Latino), hired an outreach coordinator, Cam Juarez, to figure out how to solve this disconnect and get more Latinos into one of our nation's greatest accomplishments and most valuable resources-national parks. Saguaro National Park also partnered with the local nonprofit group, Friends of Saguaro National Park, to hire a diverse group of ...

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How America’s Health and Obesity Crisis Threatens our Economic Future



Most Americans are still not aware of the many serious health consequences associated with being obese. Additionally, misconceptions about what healthy weight and obesity look like further complicates adults' and parents' ability to correctly identify weight status, thus they are unable to correctly identify their and their children's risk for life-long health complications. According to the Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) 2012 report, "obese people are far more likely to develop chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease and cancer. Obese children are more likely to have one or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, to be prediabetic (i.e., at high risk for developing diabetes), and to suffer from bone ...

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