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Julia Weis

Julia Weis joined Salud America! and its home base, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, in September 2020. With a degree in Communication from Trinity University, Julia has previously worked in journalism, marketing, graphic design, and technical writing. She loves biking and hiking in the Central Texas outdoors and is passionate about environmental and social justice issues.

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Articles by Julia Weis

Gregory Aune: The Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride


greg aune Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride bike ride event

Gregory Aune was 16 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Aune spent a year enduring grueling treatment, losing over 70 pounds. But he survived. His experience motivated him to pursue a clinical career and help children with cancer. Today, Dr. Aune is an associate professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI) of UT Health San Antonio, on a mission to find new ways to help and heal patients. That's why he helped found the Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride — to raise awareness of childhood cancer and support the mission of the GCCRI. The inaugural Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride took place on April 2, 2022, in Floresville, Texas. The 4th annual bike ride is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on ...

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Clean Hands & Spaces: Helping Schools and Caregivers Build Good Hygiene Habits with Children


caregiver clean hands project

Teachers and administrators play a large role in keeping kids clean and healthy at school. However, it’s also up to caregivers to teach healthy hygiene habits at home. That’s why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation created the Clean Hands and Spaces online bilingual training (in English and in Spanish) for teachers, administrators, and staff in schools and Head Start centers. Learn how teachers can work together with caregivers to keep kids clean and healthy. What Is the Clean Hands and Spaces Training? Clean Hands and Spaces is an online bilingual training that aims to help K-12 school and early childhood education (ECE) staff learn how to best encourage good hygiene practices in their educational settings. The training ...

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Clean Hands & Spaces: Creating a Hygiene Plan for an Educational Environment


clean hygiene education

Keeping kids clean and healthy at school can be a challenge. Not only do you need to consider how and when to clean an educational environment, but also make sure that cleaning supplies are safely marked and stored. That’s why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation created the Clean Hands and Spaces online bilingual training (in English and in Spanish) for teachers, administrators, and staff in schools and Head Start centers. Learn how to create a hygiene plan to help children in an educational environment. What Is the Clean Hands and Spaces Training? Clean Hands and Spaces is an online bilingual training that aims to help K-12 school and early childhood education (ECE) staff learn how to best encourage good hygiene practices in their ...

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The Intersection of Infection Prevention and Control and Healthcare Equity


The Intersection of Infection Prevention and Control and Healthcare Equity

Infection prevention and control are the actions we take in health care to keep people from getting sick. How does that tie into health equity and better health outcomes for all people? Let’s learn from the experts on the American Medical Association’s (AMA) podcast, Stories of Care, part of its partnership with Project Firstline of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC’s Project Firstline is an infection control training and education collaborative designed to ensure all healthcare workers, no matter their role or educational background, have the infection control knowledge and understanding they need and deserve to protect themselves, their patients, and their coworkers. What is Stories of Care? Stories of Care is a CDC Project Firstline podcast ...

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Clean Hands & Spaces: How and When to Wash Hands


Clean Hands & Spaces: How and When to Wash Hands

You often hear that good hand hygiene is about cleaning your hands regularly. But there’s more to it than that. Good hand hygiene means having a hygiene plan, having the right materials, knowing how to implement hygiene among different audiences, and much more. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation created the Clean Hands and Spaces online bilingual training (in English and in Spanish) for teachers, administrators, and staff in schools. Learn how we can create good hand hygiene and why it matters for schools. What Is the Clean Hands and Spaces Training? Clean Hands and Spaces is an online bilingual training that aims to help K-12 school and ECE staff learn how to best encourage good hygiene practices in their educational ...

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Women Comment on How COVID-19 Is Impacting Women’s Health


latina covid

The National Institute of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women’s Health is seeking comments on how to improve treatment for the intersection of women’s health and COVID-19. COVID-19 has impacted all women, but Latinas have been consistently at high risk. Not only has the disease disproportionately hit this population, but it also has caused delays in screenings and care for other women’s health issues. Responses will be accepted through Friday May 6, 2022. Update 5/20/22: 10 women submitted comments. See a sampling of comments below. Comments Submitted by Women via Salud America! Here are a few comments submitted to the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health: "I had Covid in December with pneumonia. I was in bed for two and a half weeks and thought I was ...

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Know the Facts for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!


Know the Facts for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This cancer can affect anyone, but older Latinos may be particularly at risk. Know the facts about colorectal cancer, tips for screening and preventions, and how we can help researchers studying cancer. What Should I Know About Colorectal Cancer? Colorectal cancer is the disease of the colon and/or rectum. “Most cases of colorectal cancer occur in people ages 45 and older, but the disease is increasingly affecting younger people. Each year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with this disease and more than 50,000 die,” according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Many people in the early stages of colorectal cancer do not experience symptoms. However, symptoms might develop later on in the disease. Mayo Clinic lists ...

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Study: Latinos, Asians Experience COVID-19-Related Discrimination


Study: Latinos, Asians Experience COVID-19-Related Discrimination

COVID-19 continues to have a large impact on Latinos and other communities of color, particularly when it comes to cases and deaths. However, the toll extends beyond the physical impacts of the virus. Racial and ethnic minority populations are more likely to experience COVID-19–related discrimination than their white counterparts, according to a new study from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Learn what the study found on COVID-19–related discrimination, the impact of discrimination on health, and what we do to improve the situation for Latinos and others of color. What Did the NIMHD Study Find on COVID-19-Related Racial/Ethnic Discrimination? This is the largest study to date on discrimination related to COVID-19. Dr. Paula D. ...

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