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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

A New Year’s Resolution for Physicians: Improving Communication with Patients


doctor patient communication

Have you ever had a conversation with a doctor that left you feeling confused? These situations can be frustrating, especially when it hurts your health. Unfortunately, poor doctor-patient communication is common, even though doctors acknowledge they should avoid medical jargon when talking with patients. In a new study in JAMA Network Open, researchers surveyed 215 adults and found that when medical jargon was used by physicians, participants frequently misunderstood and often interpreted the exact opposite of what the physician intended. This confusion can lead to adverse health outcomes, according to the study. "You could be the smartest doctor in the world, yet you're useless if your patients don't understand what you are saying," Dr. Michael Pitt, study author and ...

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When Sharing Isn’t Caring


Sharing isn't caring germs

We use a lot of shared devices and equipment in healthcare. But these devices and equipment are all surfaces that can have germs on them. Because healthcare workers use and share devices and equipment many times a day and for many different tasks, it’s important to understand the role that these devices can play in the spread of germs. Medical Devices Medical devices are used on a patient’s body, such as a stethoscope or blood pressure cuff. They’re also used in a patient’s body, such as an IV needle, an endoscope, or an artificial hip. When devices are used on or in a patient’s body to provide care, any germs on those devices can spread to places in or on the patient’s body. That’s how devices can be the germ’s entryway into the body. Devices that are ...

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New Year, Same Concerns: Why Racism is Still a Public Health Crisis in 2023


racism

As we begin a new year, it’s important to take a step back and appreciate our achievements. But it’s also critical to recognize our shortcomings – especially in public health, which affects everyone. Here’s your reminder why racism is still a public health crisis in 2023, and how you can help support the health of all people. What is Racism? Racism is the discrimination or prejudice of others based on their race or ethnic group. Racism has existed for thousands of years globally and is deeply rooted in our nation’s history. Populations of color, such as Blacks and Latinos, often experience racism. Racism against others can happen directly, such as denying someone a job because of their race, or indirectly, such as through structural policies that perpetuate ...

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Nearly Half of US States Are Failing Mothers and Babies


maternal health

It’s no secret that maternal and infant health in the US needs massive improvement. As 2022 comes to a close, this year’s March of Dimes Report Card for maternal and infant health is yet another indication of what our nation’s New Year’s resolution should be: improving health outcomes for mothers and babies. On an A – F grading scale, with A being the best score, and F being the lowest, the report card revealed that 24 states are failing in maternal and infant health with a grade of a “D+” or lower. Let’s unpack the report card and what these findings mean for Latinas and all women and babies. What’s Included in the Report Card? The report card uses the latest key indicators to describe and improve maternal and infant health in each state. These key ...

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$3 Million Grant to Improve Public Health in the Lone Star State


community health worker

Good news for Texans! A $3 million grant will help UT Health San Antonio train 275 new community health workers (CHWs) and support an additional 75 CHWs in maintaining state certification. The grant, issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will train CHWs across 38 South Texas counties from Brownsville to Laredo, including the area’s rural communities. The grant is part of the federal government’s $226.5 million investment in the nation’s community and public health workforce, announced in September 2022. The Importance of CHWs Also known as promotoras de salud and patient navigators, CHWs connect patients to healthcare and facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patients, including ...

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Pre-term Birth Rates Increase Amid Maternal Health Crisis


Pre-term birth

The average US pre-term birth rate has risen to a 15-year high of 10.5%, according to a recent March of Dimes report. This finding further highlights the maternal health crisis in the US, where mothers, especially those of color, struggle to access maternal healthcare and are vulnerable to preventable pregnancy-related deaths, including those caused by COVID-19. How does the high pre-term birth rate impact Latinas and their babies? And what can we do to help? What is Pre-term Birth? Pre-term birth occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation. Babies need about 40 weeks in the womb to develop before birth, according to March of Dimes. About one out of every 10 births in the US is premature, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Black and American Indian/Alaskan ...

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Is a Clinical Trial Right for Your Child?


Doctor discussing clinical trial

We all want the best for our children. While the thought of enrolling your child in a clinical trial may sound scary, but there are plenty of benefits to trial participation. Some of these benefits include diagnosing, preventing, treating, and sometimes even curing childhood diseases. However, there are some potential risks to trial participation, too. Here’s everything you need to know about enrolling your child in a clinical trial. What is a Clinical Trial? Clinical trials are studies with volunteers that help researchers learn how to slow, manage, and treat different diseases. There are different kinds of clinical trials with different intended purposes. There are also four phases of clinical trials that each help scientists answer different ...

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How Germs Spread in the Healthcare Environment


germs in healthcare

Hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes are where people come for care, so there is a high chance some patients will have an infection. When a person has an infection, their immune system may be weakened, making them more vulnerable to developing other infections or illnesses. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the things we do in healthcare that can put patients at greater risk of infection. For example, if a patient needs an IV, there’s a risk for infection if germs on their skin are pushed into their body by the needle, or if germs on the needle or another piece of equipment get into their body. In healthcare, we are more concerned about some germs than others based on: The amount of them in the environment. If they can cause an outbreak in a healthcare ...

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Help Researchers Learn Rapamycin’s Effects on Heart Health


Rapamycin Heart Health

Rapamycin is a medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an immunosuppressant drug, making it helpful in preventing rejection in organ transplantation. The medication has also been tested in prior studies — like clinical trials, which help researchers learn how to better slow, manage, and treat diseases — as a treatment for cancer and to evaluate its effects on physical and cognitive function and immune health. Now, researchers at UT Health San Antonio are recruiting participants for a study to evaluate Rapamycin’s effects on heart function, heart muscle stiffening, and circulation. Participants will be compensated up to $300 for study completion, which involves five study visits over the course of about two months. Who Can Participate in the Rapamycin ...

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