Cal State Northridge has released a short Spanish-language documentary exploring options for end-of-life care, the Post-Periodical reports. The video, a project by Kyusuk “Stephan” Chung, an associate professor of health administration at Cal State Northridge, is about a dying patient in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease who turned to hospice care so she could spend her last days at home among loved ones. It is entirely in Spanish, designed to educate the Latino community, which may not know that end-of-life care options extend beyond putting a dying loved one in the hospital or family members struggling on their own to care for that person at home. “I have spent more than 10 years researching end-of-life care, and in particular hospice care,” said Chung, according ...
Elderly Latinos in the U.S. are 1.5 times more likely than their white peers to develop Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association. But not many know this. Given that the number of Latinos living in the U.S. with Alzheimer's is currently 200,00 and expected to rise to 1.3 million by 2050, this public health issue warrants attention. So, for Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month in June, Latina Magazine did a fascinating Q&A with Dr. Romina Rosen of Kaiser Permanente to get expert information on Alzheimer's, and how it affects not only the Latino patient, but caregivers, too. Rosen tackles important questions like: What are some of the early signs of this disease? And how early on does this start to take place before a ...
Latinos, want to make a difference to prevent substance use disorder and improve mental health? You can plan a community event, take a Facebook pledge, and/or take a photo of yourself for the “Yo elijo” (“I Choose”) Project—all to spur action around reducing substance use disorder and improving mental health during National Prevention Week on May 18-24, 2014 an observance led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Find out how to get involved at SAMHSA's new Spanish website (and one in English). Go here to take a Facebook pledge. To participate in the “Yo elijo” (“I Choose”) Project, take a photograph of yourself holding a sign with your personal message about why substance use disorder prevention or mental health is ...
Arely Perez loves to step outside her comfort zone. In college, she studied and enjoyed kinesiology—the study of human movement—but wasn’t as familiar with how it translated to the health of the community. So, as a graduate student at UT San Antonio, she got jobs in the labs of Drs. Meizi He and Zenong Yin, where she learned all about public health and coordinated studies of local programs to improve nutrition and reduce obesity in child care centers. “I became passionate about improving people’s health, thanks to both Drs. He and Yin, who gave me great opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills,” Perez said. Today Perez is applying her passion for health as a researcher at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San ...
A senior center serving a diverse population worked with local farmers to grow fresh, healthy produce traditionally enjoyed by those of Latino descent, according to a new video. The video, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicates that the center in Lawrence, Mass., also educated community members about portion control and healthy food preparation so that those with diabetes could learn the importance of a healthy diet for controlling the disease, and subsequently adjust their ...
Spanish-speaking women now have a website exclusively dedicated to bringing them information about having a healthy pregnancy and baby, reports Latin Post. Nacersano.org is brought to women as a collaboration between March of Dimes and Latin Grammy Award singer Thalia. The singer has been an ambassador for March of Dimes, raising awareness for mother and mothers-to-be for many years. "I feel so privileged as a mom to be part of a significant organization like the March of Dimes that works hard to prevent prematurity and helps moms to have healthy babies," said Thalia, mother of two children. "I'm very happy that the March of Dimes has even more resources available to continue to educate moms and families worldwide. As a mom, I can't think of anything more important than the ...
Childhood cancer rates are highest among white children, and second-highest among Latino children, according to the American Cancer Society's "Cancer Facts & Figures 2014" report. Hispanic children have the highest death rates. Factors that may be associated with these survival disparities include socioeconomic status, health insurance status, timely diagnosis and quality of treatment and supportive care, and genetic factors. Early diagnosis of cancer in children is often difficult because of the similarity of symptoms to more common diseases of childhood. The American Cancer Society suggests that parents should ensure that children have regular medical checkups and be alert to any unusual signs or persistent symptoms, such as: an unusual mass or swelling; unexplained paleness ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2013 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by March 7, 2014, for the 2014 Èxito! program. Sandra Acevedo
Torrance, Calif. When Sandra Acevedo first came to the United States at age 10, she didn’t know anybody who spoke Spanish like she did. But with the support of her family and mentors, Acevedo not only learned English but has gone on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California Riverside and a master’s in public health degree (with a focus on nutrition) from Loma Linda University. Acevedo currently works for a diabetes prevention and management program that provides services in underserved areas of Los Angeles County. In search of information about applying ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2013 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by March 7, 2014, for the 2014 Èxito! program. Monica Aguilar
Downey, Calif. With a Belizean mother who always cared for others, offered support, and excelled in a health profession, Monica Aguilar was motivated to blaze her own trail to improve the lives of others. Aguilar got her start in health with a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in health science. Today she gone on to serve as a community health educator, research assistant, and data manager for health education and health promotion projects, and now she is pursuing a master’s in public health degree at California State University Long Beach. Aguilar applied for the Éxito! Latino ...
