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Callie Rainosek

Callie's passion is spreading awareness of public health issues through various communication channels. Her work helps mitigate health disparities while promoting positive, healthy changes in communities.

Articles by Callie Rainosek

#SaludTues Tweetchat 8/1: Improving School Climates for Children and Teen’s Mental Health


school climate, child and teen mental health

Our nation’s youth are struggling with mental health more than ever before. This crisis is fueled by excessive social media use, climate change, gun violence (now a top cause of death for young people), and the opioid epidemic. Further, many families, especially Latinos, lack access to mental healthcare resources due to stigma, cost, or long wait times to see a provider. Under these circumstances, how can schools and parents help promote mental wellbeing among children and teens this upcoming school year and beyond? Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, to discuss how to improve school climates for children and teens’ mental health, especially for students of color. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: Improving School Climates for Children’s Mental Health ...

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New CDC Report May Make You Lose Your Appetite


sick worker paid sick leave

We’ve all learned from an early age that it’s best to stay home when sick. But for the 21% of American workers with no paid sick leave – many of which are Latino – staying home to rest may not feel like an option. However, a new report by the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) highlights just how important it is to avoid working while sick – especially for food service workers. Let’s explore the report and what it means for Latinos and all consumers. Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Associated with Sick Workers From 2017 to 2019, a total of 800 foodborne illness outbreaks were reported by state and local health departments. About 40% of these outbreaks were associated with ill or infectious food workers, according to the CDC report. The most common ...

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Partner Spotlight: NCUIH’s Native Healthcast Addresses Germ Reservoirs and Pathways for Infection!


NCUIH Infection control

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Project Firstline program provides all healthcare workers – no matter their role or educational background – the infection control training and resources they need to protect themselves, their patients, and their coworkers from infectious diseases. Now in its third year, Project Firstline is made up of a diverse group of more than 20 healthcare, public health, and academic partners, as well as state and local territorial health departments. In collaboration with the National Hispanic Medical Association, Salud America! is one of those partners. To support Project Firstline and our fellow partners, we’re spotlighting impressive infection control resources that are culturally tailored to diverse audiences. Today, ...

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US Leaders Discuss Causes, Solutions to Youth Mental Health Crisis


youth mental health crisis

At a Boston University School of Public Health webinar in June 2023, US Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts quieted the virtual room by citing two statistics. “Nearly 1 in 3 youth seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021,” said Markey, citing a recent CDC report. “And nearly 3 in 5 US teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless.” These statistics underline a rising youth mental health crisis. And it’s why US Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, who joined Sen. Markey as a guest in the webinar, issued an advisory calling youth mental health an “urgent public health issue.” Let’s explore these two US leaders’ discussions on the causes of the youth mental health crisis and how our country can work toward a healthier future for young people. Causes of the ...

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Texas Extends Postpartum Medicaid Coverage from 60 Days to Year


postpartum medicaid coverage expansion

June 16, 2023 was a big win for low-income Texas families. Gov. Greg Abbot signed House Bill 12, which extends Medicaid health coverage for Texas mothers from just 60 days after giving birth to a full year. This new bill, which is expected to take effect by the end of 2023, has massive potential to improve newborn and maternal health outcomes for Latinas and all mothers statewide. Here are several big-as-Texas reasons to celebrate the signing of House Bill 12! Improved Access to Prenatal and Postpartum Care Half of women having babies in Texas get their healthcare coverage through Medicaid, according to data gathered by March of Dimes. Many of these women are low-income Latinas who may not be able to afford another healthcare coverage option. Going without health ...

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12,000 People Contacted National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Last Year



Motherhood can be an exciting time full of new experiences and cherished moments – but it can also be mentally and physically taxing. That’s why the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) created the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which celebrated its first anniversary on Mother’s Day 2023. Let’s explore how and why the hotline was used in the last year, and why the hotline is vital for supporting Latinas and all mothers. About the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a free, 24/7, confidential hotline that provides support to women before, during, and after pregnancy via phone call or text. The hotline can be reached at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) and is well equipped to handle a variety ...

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Partner Spotlight: Infection Control Risks in Healthcare with NCUIH’s Native Healthcast!


NCUIH podcast, infection control

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Project Firstline program provides all healthcare workers – no matter their role or educational background – the infection control training and resources they need to protect themselves, their patients, and their coworkers from infectious diseases. Now in its third year, Project Firstline is made up of a diverse group of more than 20 healthcare, public health, and academic partners, as well as state and local territorial health departments. In collaboration with the National Hispanic Medical Association, Salud America! is one of those partners. To support Project Firstline and our fellow partners, we’re spotlighting impressive infection control resources that are culturally tailored to diverse audiences. Today, ...

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Diana Anzaldua: From Troubled Teen to Trailblazer in Latino Mental Healthcare


Diana profile

“Grab what you can,” said a frantic young mother to her four children in their small rural home in El Campo, Texas. As their mother swiftly shoved a few belongings in a bag, her four children began to grasp the seriousness of the situation and why she pulled them out of school mid-day. It was finally their chance to get out of town and leave their abusive father – who suffered from alcohol addiction – behind. Diana Anzaldua was one of those four children. She knew her parents struggled to make ends meet, especially since they were teen parents with mental health challenges of their own. “We faced day-to-day domestic violence and a chaotic household. My mom, of course, was depressed,” recalled a grown Diana, who is now a licensed clinical social worker and ...

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School Avoidance Behavior: Another Layer to America’s Mental Health Crisis


school avoidance behavior, young girl

For many kiddos, early June is the official start of summer vacation. During this time, parents may breathe a sigh of relief – especially if their child suffers from school avoidance behavior. Experts say this behavior is yet another complicated layer in America’s mental health crisis. Let’s explore how school avoidance behavior presents in children, how COVID-19 worsened school avoidance behavior, and what resources are available for parents and educators. What is School Avoidance Behavior? School avoidance behavior is when a child refuses to attend school or has difficulty remaining in school the entire day, according to the School Avoidance Alliance. School avoidant behavior may start with your child missing sporadic days at school and progress to a point where ...

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