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Pramod Sukumaran

Sukumaran completed a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology and an MPH in Population Health Analytics. He curates content for Salud America! on family support and health projects at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio. His emphases is on the latest research, reports and resources related to various disease and policies, to improve Latino health.

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Articles by Pramod Sukumaran

With Smoke-Free Homes, Fewer Kids Admitted to Hospital for Asthma Issues


latino hispanic family in apartment housing home multifamily smoke-free policy

We know secondhand smoke is deadly. We also know that, inside places like apartments, people are exposed to secondhand smoke as it travels through doorways, halls, windows, ventilation systems, and electrical outlets. So what if we could cut secondhand smoke exposure in the home? Well, after a national media campaign to reduce cigarette smoking in homes in Scotland, hospital admissions of under-five-year-old children dropped 25%, according to a recent study in Lancet Public Health. "Our findings suggest that smoke-free home interventions could be an important tool to reduce asthma admissions in young children, and that smoke-free public space legislation might improve child health for many years, especially in the most deprived communities," according to the ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 4/6: Latino Participation Is Vital in Clinical Trials


female doctor clinical trials

Do you know fewer than 5% of Latinos participate in federal clinical trials? There is a historical lack of targeted research about Latino health inequities and how to address them, and a lack of diversity in clinical trials. Researchers thus have less chance to develop new treatments for this population, which suffers a heavy burden of certain cancers, dementia, obesity, and mental health issues. That's why we're excited to use #SaludTues on April 6, 2021, to tweet about how to increase Latino participation in clinical trials to prevent health disparities, to mark National Minority Health Month in April.  WHAT: Tweetchat: “Latino Participation Is Vital in Clinical Trials" TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, April 6, 2021 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag ...

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New Bilingual Materials Boost Awareness of Latino Mental Health


Latino mental health sad Latina with face mask covid

Latinos are the least likely group to get help with mental health treatment, according to a recent survey. This is due to stigma against mental illness, systemic distrust in mental health services, or lack of access to and knowledge of treatment, all of which is worsened amid COVID-19. This is why the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers free brochures and fact sheets on mental health disorders and related topics for patients and their families, health professionals, and the general public — in English and Spanish. "NIMH offers basic information on mental disorders and related topics in Spanish for patients and their families, health professionals, and the public," according to NIMH information. "Printed materials can be ordered free of charge and are available ...

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Amid COVID-19, Fewer Smokers Are Trying to Quit, as Tobacco Sales Rise


latino man smoking with face mask down amid coronavirus covid-19

Smoking and COVID-19 can each kill. And when you compound one's effect on the other, the harm is clearly evident. Amid a pandemic that has killed about 100,000 Latinos, there has been a significant drop in the number of people who are attempting to quit smoking using services provided by healthcare organizations, according to a recent report from the North American Quitline Consortium (NAQC). This is alarming considering the dangers of smoking amid the current coronavirus infecting people across the nation, according to Dr. Susan Walley, a tobacco control expert and professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Smokers are at a higher risk for greater complications such as death, admission to intensive care and mechanical ventilation when they contract COVID-19,” she ...

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Cities Are Turning Stores, Hotels, and Offices into Affordable Housing Havens



The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on housing and homelessness. City and state leaders know this. Many are implementing policies and creating unique affordable housing conversion projects that aim to make progress in solving this problem. One such piece of legislation, the "Housing Our Neighbors With Dignity Act," from New York, will enable the state to buy office buildings and hotels that have been struggling during the pandemic and turn them into affordable housing. “The housing problem in our cities has gotten worse. But, the crisis of growing vacancies in our commercial property provides an opportunity,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a recent speech. “We should convert vacant commercial space to supportive and affordable housing and we should do ...

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New Bilingual Videos Aim to Increase Latino Clinical Trial, COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness


Bilingual Videos Latino Clinical Trial COVID-19 Vaccination

Historically and presently, Latinos are underrepresented in clinical research. Researchers want to increase diverse participation in clinical trials to ensure that Latinos and other underrepresented populations benefit from advances in public health and medicine, including personalized medicine. This is especially important amid a harmful pandemic that is disproportionately impacting Latinos. In hopes of increasing awareness among Latinos and people burdened by COVID-19, the National Health Institute's (NIH) Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities Program created a new series of bilingual videos on clinical trials about vaccines and clinical trials to prevent and treat COVID-19. "[Our] program focuses on addressing misinformation around COVID-19, ...

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Inside California’s Struggles to Solve Housing, Homelessness



California had an affordable housing crisis well before COVID-19. Now the pandemic is having a devastating impact on housing and homelessness. State leaders are continuing work to make a difference. For example, California Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2021-22 State Budget proposal has many short-term investments specifically targeted at housing and homelessness. "The state continues to make progress in addressing the housing availability and affordability crisis that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic," the Governer's Office stated. "In addition to the $500 million for infill infrastructure, the Budget also proposes an additional $500 million in low-income housing tax credits to support low-income housing development. "The Administration is streamlining and reorganizing ...

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Spanish-Language Webinars for Latino Families about COVID-19 Vaccines


vaccine vacunas doctor giving covid-19 vaccination to hispanic latino espanol

Latinos are disproportionately hurt by COVID-19. But they make up a very low percentage of those getting a coronavirus vaccine. This is in part because of targeted misinformation and experiences with discrimination and implicit bias in the doctor's office. This is why CDC is conducting two webinars to share what Latino families and communities should know about the COVID-19 vaccine and more ways to slow the spread of the pandemic. Webinar 2/26/21: What Families Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines This webinar, set for 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 26, 2021, focuses on information for Latino families. Panelists include: Rev. Carlos Durán is president of The National Alliance of Hispanic Pastors. The Obama White House recognized Durán as a “Champion of Change” for his advocacy for ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 3/2: Ensuring Healthy Hearts During COVID-19


hispanic man heart attack

Heart disease is the primary cause of death in the United States. Latinos are often uninformed of their risk for heart disease. Specifically, Mexican Americans have greater levels of uncontrolled blood pressure than non-Latino whites. They are also less likely to get treatment for high blood pressure. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the US, experts say people who have underlying health conditions should guard against COVID-19. Let’s use #SaludTues on March 02, 2021, to tweetchat about ways to promote heart health for Latinos and all people during COVID-19! WHAT: #SaludTues: Ensuring Healthy Hearts During COVID-19! TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, March 02, 2021 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: ...

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