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Catherine Stewart

Catherine Stewart is a digital content curator for Salud America! and its home base, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She is a graduate of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland College Park, and hopes to utilize her skills to help people find their voices and inspire change in their communities.

Articles by Catherine Stewart

5 Key Takeaways from the 2024 Maternal and Infant Mortality Report


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Despite advances in modern medicine, the US continues to have one of the worst infant and maternal mortality rates in the developed world.   In 2021, there were 32.9 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   Fast forward to 2022 and the maternal mortality rate is down to 22.3 deaths for every 100,000 live births, according to a new March of Dimes report.  The new rate marks a significant departure from the time of the pandemic when maternal mortality rates were at an all-time high.   However, not everything is back to pre-pandemic levels.  Here are the five key takeaways from the 2024 March of Dimes Report Card and what they mean for the health of mothers across the country.   1. ...

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3 Important Studies on How Cancer Affects All People


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Cancer continues to be tied with heart disease as the top cause of death for all people, including Latinos. People of different backgrounds suffer higher rates of certain cancer types, are diagnosed at later stages, and are more likely to die from the disease. This is often due to issue with non-medical drivers of health in communities. That’s why researchers choose to keep studying the intersection between background and health issues so that science and medicine can improve cancer outcomes for these individuals and everyone.   Here are three cancer studies that focus on cancer and background.   1. Trends in Incidence of Testicular Cancer Testicular cancer remains the second -most common cancer in men aged 15-39 worldwide, according to a study published in the National ...

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3 Surprising Diabetes Studies and Their Substantial Impact


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Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the country, impacting 38 million adults in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   The long-lasting condition also contributes to heart disease and cancer.   That is why it’s important to address the non-medical drivers of health – such as access to transportation, healthy foods, and green spaces for safe play and exercise – which can influence risk for diabetes, especially for those genetically predisposed to it.   Let’s dive into some new studies that explore diabetes and its impact on all people.   1. Issues with Diabetes for Those in Tough Financial Situations Poverty can be a huge factor in the development of diabetes, especially in early childhood with those who ...

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Over 4,000 Speak Up to Reduce Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes


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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a new rule that, if finalized, would make cigarettes and certain other combusted tobacco products minimally or nonaddictive by limiting the level of nicotine in those products.  Smoking cigarettes, which contain nicotine, an addictive chemical, is estimated to kill nearly half a million people in the U.S. each year.  The proposed rule aims to make cigarettes less addictive, prevent young people from starting smoking, and promote quitting smoking among all groups.  The FDA wants your comment on the proposed rule.  You can submit a model comment created by Salud America! urging the FDA to make cigarettes and other tobacco products less addictive.   This comment period closed Sept. 15, 2025.   November 2025 ...

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Dr. Amelie Ramirez Addresses Childhood Obesity in Telemundo Special


Dr. Ramirez on Telemundo

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, was invited to discuss childhood obesity in Latinos by Noticias Telemundo and the Telemundo network.   Ramirez’s appearance was part of a one-hour special described as a critical path for creating a society in which all children can thrive, according to Telemundo.  The segment focuses on a variety of issues, such as education, healthcare, and nutrition, in children from different backgrounds.   Topics included in the special ranged from children's access to affordable and nutritious foods to the mental health of high school students.   The program streamed live on the Noticias Telemundo Ahora streaming channel and Noticias Telemundo’s social and digital platforms: NoticiasTelemundo.com, the ...

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San Antonio: Apply for Community Engagement Small Project Grant Funding


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The Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS) at UT Health San Antonio and the UTSA College for Health, Community, and Policy (HCaP) wants to fund a new batch of one-year Community Engagement Small Project Grants.  The grants aim to help promote, develop, and expand community and scholarly research partnerships that benefit science and clinicians, according to the 2025 funding announcement.  Last year’s grants enabled five teams of researchers to translate scientific findings to benefit public health in San Antonio.  These projects covered topics such as HIV/AIDS, faith’s impact on criminal rehabilitation, artistic influence on young brain development, and more.  Now your team could be the next ones to improve community health by applying for a ...

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Report: Cancer Is Second-Leading Cause of Death for Latinos in US


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From 2009 and 2019, cancer was the top cause of death in the US for Latinos. Now, while new data show that cancer has become the second-leading cause of death in Latinos, only slightly behind heart disease, cancer remains a big threat to the health of the US population (19.5% Latino). Every year, heart disease and cancer cause 17% of Latino deaths in the US, according to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People 2024-2026 report. Let’s dive into the key highlights of the report. Cancer Incidence The American Cancer Society estimates 195,300 cancer cases would be diagnosed in Latinos in 2024 with another 50,400 Latino individuals dying from the disease. Here are some key facts from the American Cancer Society report: Among ...

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Make Increasing Physical Activity One of Your New Year’s Resolutions


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What is your New Year’s Resolution?  One of the most popular resolutions is engaging in more physical activity.   Moving matters for your health in many ways, so it’s no wonder that increasing physical activity makes it to the top of the goal list for many people every year.   However, being more physically active is easier said than done.   Let’s explore some of the health benefits of physical activity and go over some ways to keep you motivated throughout the year.   Physical Activity Benefits Against Cancer  There is a slew of reasons that exercise is good for ... well, everything.   Countless studies have shown that getting your recommended weekly exercise can greatly reduce your risk for at least eight types of cancer, including bladder, breast, colon, ...

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Seven Things to Know About the Norovirus Surge


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Norovirus, also known as the stomach bug, is surging across the United States.  Outbreaks of the virus spiked from 69 to 91 the week of December 5, 2024, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  This is a significant rise considering the same reporting period over the last several years showed 65 or less outbreaks per week.   However, there are a growing number of cases that haven't been reported, adding to the potential for spreading the virus.  With outbreaks and cases on the rise, there are several things you should know about the norovirus surge and measures you can take to protect yourself and loved ones from getting sick.  1. Norovirus is a Foodborne Illness While norovirus is classified as a “stomach bug” or ...

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