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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

Britney Ortiz: From Research Assistant to Colorectal Cancer Caregiver



A lot can change in the wake of a cancer diagnosis, especially for a daughter.  “When a person gets sick, the whole family gets sick, especially in the Hispanic and Latino community ... It is really a family effort when it comes to going through cancer treatment and a cancer diagnosis,” Britney Ortiz said.  Being a research assistant in the Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship research study at UT Health San Antonio, Britney Ortiz thought she knew a lot about cancer.  But her father's unexpected cancer diagnosis gave her a true understanding of the disease.  In a short period of time, Britney went from interviewing survivors about their cancer journey to being a caregiver for a loved one.  A Shocking Cancer Diagnosis  Britney said her father’s ...

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Study: 5 More Minutes of Increased Physical Activity Can Lower Dementia Risk


Senior couple jogging in the summer park

Moving Matters! Did you know that physical activity directly impacts your health?   The more work you put into your body, the more you reap the long- and short-term health benefits of exercise.  That’s true at any age, but especially in older adults, who experience higher risk for diseases such as heart disease and cancer.  One of the most serious diseases many older individuals face is dementia and Alzheimer's, which affects nearly 1 out of every 9 seniors in the US as of 2023, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.  But with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, symptoms have been known to ease and those who haven’t been diagnosed with the disease show a reduced risk for developing it.  In fact, a new study published by the Journal ...

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Mays Cancer Center Aims to ‘Give Cancer the Boot’ With Fundraising Race


Give Cancer the Boot race 2024

The American Cancer Society estimates over 2 million new cancer cases and 600,000 cancer deaths among Latinos and all people in the US in 2025, according to a new report.  This makes cancer one of the most prevalent, deadly health issues facing our nation.   To respond to the health crisis of cancer in South Texas, the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio is hosting its annual Give Cancer the Boot Survivorship 5K and 1-Mile Walk in celebration of cancer survivors, patients, and their families on April 5, 2025.   REGISTER NOW! Give Cancer the Boot   Not only does the event raise awareness about the impact of cancer on the community, but it also goes to support the Mays Cancer Center’s Patient and Family Assistance Fund.  The Patient and Family Assistance Fund ...

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Get Down to the Nuts and Bolts of Clinical and Population Research Studies


Busy latin female worker working on laptop thinking analyzing online data.

There is a lot that goes into starting a clinical or population research study.   In fact, many of these studies can take years to get off the ground. Not to mention recruiting, which is a task in and of itself.   Given the difficulties surrounding the rigorous process ahead of those embarking upon these studies, the University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School is providing research study teams with a roadmap for research success.   The Nuts and Bolts of Executing a Clinical or Population Research Study is a virtual series that helps lay the groundwork and give researchers the tools to make a positive impact in healthcare.  Update: After a successful program, the virtual program is offering more opportunities to make an impact. Check out these upcoming ...

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Check Out the 15th Annual Frontiers of Translational Science Research Day


15th Annual Frontiers of Translational Science Research Day

The Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS) at UT Health San Antonio is announcing its 15th Annual Frontiers of Translational Science Research Day on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.   In celebration, the institute is calling for abstracts for posters from researchers that demonstrate the power of translational science, which is the process of using research to develop interventions.  Translational science aims to improve health and improve disease outcomes.  These abstracts can either highlight translational research that has already been completed or ongoing research projects.  Selected projects will be invited to be part of a poster session on the day of the event.  APPLY HERE! Participant Guidelines for Translational Science Research  The deadline ...

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Share Your Cancer Story in Our San Antonio Cancer Survivorship Study!


Avanzando Caminos KSAT

Cancer continues to be a top cause of death of all people, only second to heart disease.  This makes the need for cancer interventions is vital in places like San Antonio, Texas (64.4% Latino; US Census).  That’s one of the reasons that UT Health San Antonio is one of two study sites for the Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship Research Study — a one-of-a-kind study that aims to unpack the behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on post-cancer life.  Since 2021, the study team has diligently been collecting the stories of hundreds of cancer survivors in the South Texas area in hopes of identifying ways to help improve cancer outcomes.  But there’s still more work to be done.   The Avanzando Caminos study is looking to enroll 1,500 ...

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Benefits of Physical Activity During Pregnancy


Pregnant women attending a fitness class

From what you put into your body to what you do with it, just about anything can impact your health when you’re pregnant.   It can also impact the health of the unborn child.  That’s why it’s important to take the steps necessary to ensure the health and safety of both the expectant mother and baby.  The best way to start is to ensure you get the recommended amount of physical activity each week. The truth is that Moving Matters!  Let’s review the physical activity guidelines for pregnant and postpartum women and learn about the benefits of movement before and after pregnancy.   Physical Activity Recommendations  Like anyone at any stage of life, physical activity is vital to maintaining good health leading to a better quality of life.   For pregnant ...

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5 Key Takeaways from the 2024 Maternal and Infant Mortality Report


Smiling millennial mother holding her newborn son close to her chest, head and shoulders, close up

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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