The health of the most vulnerable people in the United States is influenced significantly by factors outside of the health care system, or the social determinants of health. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Vulnerable Populations portfolio supports innovative solutions at that intersection of health and social factors—poverty, education, housing, employment, community environments—to give those at greatest risk their best opportunity to live healthy, productive lives. RWJF aims to identify, grow, and rigorously test promising programs and approaches that can create fundamental change in the systems and circumstances that affect vulnerable people. That includes Playworks, which aims to improve the health and well-being of children through safe, meaningful play, and the ...
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) continues to raise awareness among Latinos of the seriousness of diabetes. The group has launched a new Spanish-language blog about diabetes and those inspired to stop it, called No Más Diabetes. The have a great Facebook page in Spanish, too. Also, the ADA's por tu familia program, described in this video, contains Spanish-language, culturally relevant information on diabetes risk factors and warning signs. Contents focuses on healthy eating, understanding the link between heart diseases and diabetes, and the importance and impact of increasing physical activity. The program also encourages appropriate testing among those at risk and treatment for those diagnosed with ...
Health information can be overwhelming. People with a less "health literacy" can find it hard to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions. Some health providers have little "cultural competency," which is their ability to recognize individuals' cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, traditions, language preferences, and health practices and apply this knowledge to influence positive health outcomes. Improving both the health literacy and cultural competency of health professionals can improve healthcare consumer satisfaction, improve health outcomes, reduce the cost of care, and reduce health care disparities. That's why Maryland health officials created the "Cultural Competency and Health Literacy Primer: A Guide for Teaching ...
Laura Vargas is a cancer survivor. The 10-year-old Latina girl from San Antonio battled acute lymphoblastic leukemia but is now in remission—and is helping brighten the day for other kids who have cancer, according to a San Antonio Express-News story. Vargas entered an "Ouchies for Others" contest from Ouchies Adhesive Bandages that asked kids to design a bandage to be featured in a new line of Ouchies bandages called “Fight Against Pediatric Cancer.” Profits from these bandage sales go to children's cancer organizations. Vargas and four other children's designs were chosen as winners. Vargas' entry features a nurse and two children surrounded by the slogans DON'T LET CANCER KNOCK U OUT and DON'T GIVE UP "BE HAPPY." “I wanted to do this because I had cancer myself so I ...
The HPV vaccine cut the rate of infections of strains of the human papillomavirus, which causes nearly all cervical cancers, by 56% in teens and young adults, according to a new study in the Journal of Infectious Disease, NBC Latino reports. The finding has special relevance for Latinas, who have the highest rates of HPV-associated cervical cancer. Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina, professor at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, told NBC Latino that the study was "good news" but that work continues to be needed to promote the vaccine and its three-dose series to prevent cervical cancer among Latinos. She said only 40% of girls in the predominantly Latino region of South Texas receive the vaccine, falling far short of the federal ...
For the first time in U.S. history, we are raising a generation of children who may live sicker and die younger than their parents' generation. Every community needs the building blocks to give everyone the chance to make healthy choices, so we can all share in a culture of health. To learn how you can get involved, watch this new video from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) or go ...
Check out this cool video about a project that uses trained community health workers—called promotores de salud—to help Latino senior citizens better manage their type 2 diabetes and develop healthier lifestyles. Promotores can help bridge gaps in access to health care and health information. The project involves the Mexican Unity Council, Humana, and the National Council of La ...
You’ve heard of them. You’ve probably spotted them on nutrition labels. You may have even read up on them. But how well do you really know the fats? Here’s your chance to get better acquainted with the Fats family—the Bad Fats Brothers and the Better Fats Sisters—thanks to a new campaign from the American Heart Association. Like any family, the Fats share some common traits. For example, they all give your body energy and they all have 9 calories per gram. But some fats are better than others. Go here to meet the Bad Fats Brothers, Sat and Trans, and the Better Fats Sisters, Mon and Poly. Find out what they’re like and where they hang out to help you decide how much you want them as your ...
Editor's Note: To recognize National Cancer Survivor's Day on June 2, 2013, SaludToday is telling the stories of Latino survivors through their own words. By Meg Reyes I smiled today. I find I’m able to smile more often as time goes by. What is there to smile about? I was diagnosed with cancer and could have died, but yet I smile. I went bald, but yet I smile. I almost let my coworkers paint a basketball on my head during the Spurs playoffs, and I smile. I watched my hair grow back in its true color, including the gray, and I smile. I think of my family, friends, and co-workers who did not let one day go by without a hug, an e-mail, or a “How are you?” and I smile. I talked to an old friend who didn’t know I had cancer; when she tells me how good I look, I smile. I love my ...
