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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

First-Ever Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program Saves Seat at the Table for Latinos



Ahead of the 2024 Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos Conference, 15 Latina women from across the country came together, unified by a common thread — to become a research patient leader. This gathering, on Feb. 20, 2024, marked the first in-person meeting of the Latino Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program, a new initiative to teach cancer survivors to become research patient health leaders, who help others navigate the healthcare system and raise the Latino voice in research. Patient health leaders are critical to the goal of reducing Latino cancer disparities, said Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vázquez of the University of Puerto Rico, co-leader of the new program. “You really have to have passion to become a patient advocate,” said Segarra-Vazquez. “It’s that desire to ...

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The State of Alcohol Use Among Latinos


Depressed man sits at the table, holding hand on his head. A bottle and a glass of whiskey stand in front of him.

Overuse of alcohol is among the top risk factors for chronic diseases, especially among vulnerable populations such as Latinos.  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its annual report on the state of mental health and substance use in the US.   Based on results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States covers mental health and substance use, including tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and more.  In part two of our series, we’re going to explore the report and find out how consumption of alcohol impacts Latinos and all people.   Alcohol Use among Latinos  Alcohol consumption and overuse is still a pervasive problem with a reported 134.7 million alcohol users aged ...

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7 Stories Driving Latino Health this Month


Trusted therapist support old man patient hold hand on shoulder

Every month the Salud America! team at the Institute of Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio showcases the latest health news, clinical trials, research study results, and stories impacting the Latino community.     Salud America! is led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez.    “Our mission is to inspire people to drive change for health improvement for Latino and all families,” said Ramirez, professor and director of the IHPR at UT Health San Antonio.    In August, Salud America! helped celebrate an achievement in collaboration with Genentech, shared back to school resources, covered inequities in Latino healthcare and chronic diseases, and much more!   Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the topics, news, and stories published in July that are ...

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The State of Tobacco and Vaping Use among Latinos


Doctor snapping cigarette in half.

Use of tobacco is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors for major and chronic diseases.  The prolonged use or overuse of tobacco and nicotine continues to wreak havoc on populations, especially vulnerable populations such as Latinos, putting them at higher risk for these diseases.   The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its annual report on the state of mental health and substance use in the US.   Based on results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States covers mental health and substance use, including tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and more.  In part one of our series, we’re going to explore the report and find out how using tobacco and nicotine ...

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Study: Doctors More Likely to Use Negative Language When Referring to Latinos


Patient Latin woman meeting Caucasian doctor at hospital

Mistreatment based on background and unfair treatment are among Latinos’ biggest challenges to healthcare.   Driven by years of mistreatment, Latinos and other vulnerable groups face challenges in care and mistrust of the healthcare system.  This prompts reluctance to receive life-saving care or health screenings. Putting off care can result in a delayed diagnosis and prolonged and more expensive medical treatment for chronic diseases, such as cancer, leading to worse health outcomes.   But how widespread is mistreatment in healthcare?  Doctors are more likely to use negative language when referencing Black and Latino patients in medical records, according to a new study in JMIR Medical Informatics.   Let’s unpack the study and the meaning behind the results. ...

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Get Moving Toward a Healthier You!


Family walking in the park

Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for many diseases, including cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).   Physical inactivity has a 25.3% prevalence in the US, where about 60% of adults say they are physically inactive as of 2020, according to the CDC.  That’s why the CDC launched a campaign to get people moving.  Active People, Healthy Nation is striving to help 27 million Americans be more physically active by 2027 and getting 10 million adults and 2 million young people to meet the minimum aerobic physical activity guideline.  Salud America! is stepping up to help by partnering with the initiative's Moving Matters campaign to get the word out.  Let’s dig into some of the short-term and long-term benefits of regular physical ...

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What Do Latinos Think about Preventative Care?


Doctor examining woman's neck with mole or birthmark using magnifying glass

Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death in Latinos.   Long-standing mistreatment of vulnerable populations have led to a higher exposure to risk factors for cancer, such as obesity, diabetes, and stress.  These risk factors are compounded by the non-medical drivers of health (NMDoH) such as access to healthy foods, transportation, and health insurance that many Latinos face, making it difficult to seek healthcare, culminating in worse health outcomes.   Another big factor is driving worse health for Latinos – a lack of preventative care.   64% of Latinos skipped recommended health screenings, such as colonoscopies, pap smears, mammograms, and more, according to a news release about the second annual Wellness Matters Survey published by Aflac.  Let’s ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 9/3/24 — Creating Better Cancer Outcomes for Latinos


Male Nurse Talking With Female Patient In Hospital Room

Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths for Latinos.  Cases of Latino cancer are expected to rise by 142% in the coming years.   How can we address this?  Ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are bringing attention to Latino cancer care differences. Let’s use #SaludTues on Sept. 3, 2024, to explore the background gaps in cancer prevention, screening, care, and treatment, as well as share ways – from clinical trial participation to patient support to survivor support – we can create better cancer outcomes for Latinos.  WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat “Creating Better Cancer Outcomes for Latinos”  WHERE: Twitter/X  WHEN: 1-2 p.m. ET (12-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024  HOST: Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio ...

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Many Latinos Face Inequities in Post-Stroke Care


Caregiver helping disabled older woman

An estimated 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year, amounting to one stroke every 40 seconds, according to the Stroke Awareness Foundation.   Every 4 minutes, someone dies from a stroke, according to the American Stroke Association.   Due to background differences that affect many Latinos, stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in Latino men and the third for Latina women.   Stroke is also a top cause of serious, long-term mental or physical challenge.  The Stroke Awareness Foundation found that within 5 years of a first stroke, 25% of survivors will face another, complicating health for more than 7 million survivors.   This makes access to care critical, especially for Latinos, who often lack health insurance.   However, Latinos were less likely than ...

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