About the Author

Author Picture

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.

Connect with Julia:
Twitter Link

Articles by Julia Weis

UNITE Initiative Responds to Dr. Amelie Ramirez’s Comment on Racial Equity, Diversity


ndorse Dr. Amelie Ramirez’s Comment on Racial Equity and Diversity in Research!

The National Institutes of Health's UNITE initiative has responded to over 1,100 comments, including one from Dr. Amelie Ramirez of Salud America! and UT Health San Antonio, calling for racial equity and diversity in research. UNITE sought comments in spring 2021. Ramirez submitted a comment—endorsed by 541 Salud America! members—that we believe that increasing diversity among research leaders and clinical trial participants will help achieve true health equity, especially for Latinos and others disproportionately impacted by health issues. Based on these comments, the UNITE initiative formulated four priority areas in health disparities and minority health research, the internal NIH workforce, and the external research workforce. "Here at NIH, we saw with fresh eyes the ...

Read More

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 ...

Read More

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 ...

Read More

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 ...

Read More

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 ...

Read More

Watch Webinar: Overcoming Implicit Bias in the Doctor’s Office and Research Studies



Doctors often have implicit, subconscious preferences for white patients over those of color, studies show. This is implicit bias. These biases — stereotypes that affect our understanding and decisions about others beyond our conscious control — lead to discrimination and health disparities. To address this issue, you’re invited to join us for "Overcoming Implicit Bias in the Doctor’s Office and Research Studies," at 2 p.m. CT on April 25, 2022. This is the third webinar of a new series, “Let’s Address Health Equity Together.” This Zoom webinar will feature guest speakers to help health care professionals understand implicit bias, “rewire” it toward compassion for patients and research participants of color and engage local leaders in implementing implicit bias ...

Read More

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 ...

Read More

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 ...

Read More