Articles by Catherine Stewart

Webinar: How to Support Caregivers and Families of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)

September 22, 2026

Less than half of the 2.25 million adults in the US who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) were part of government programs that helped people receive assistance, such as Medicaid and Medicare. To make sure caregivers and families can connect to much-needed services, join UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “How to Support Caregivers and Families of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD),” at 6 p.m. Central on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. Webinar host Dr. Amelie Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, will join experts from the National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF), a representative from Genentech, and organizations working to improve quality of life for ...

Bad Bunny: A Voice for Puerto Ricans and Latinos Everywhere

September 21, 2026

In 13 minutes, audiences caught a glimpse into the vibrant colors, unique island sounds, and iconic cultural symbols synonymous with Puerto Rico. Viewers traveled through the towering sugar cane fields to la casita for a party de marquesina then to Castillo San Felipe del Morro for a wedding followed by a trip to Toñitas in New York for drinks and fixing downed power lines. For many, the 2026 Super Bowl Half Time Show was a performance, but for others it was a love letter to Puerto Rico on center stage at the biggest musical event of the year. And Bad Bunny was the conductor. As the show came to a close, Bad Bunny wielded a football at the screen that bared the words, “Together we are America,” and uttered the phrase, “Seguimos aquí.” We’re still ...

Claudia Perez-Favela: Shattering Reproductive Cancer Stigmas and Challenges

September 18, 2026

For Claudia Perez-Favela, cancer has always been the elephant in the room. Claudia has seen her Latino family members endure cancer and even perish from the disease over the years. Yet they never openly shared their experiences. “In my family, cancer is like the flu,” she said. Because cancer is such a taboo subject in her family, when Claudia got cervical cancer from the HPV virus, she couldn’t turn to her family for support. “They are gonna say ... I got cancer because I did something wrong ... we don’t talk about cancer,” she said. Instead of staying silent, Claudia shook off the stigma behind her diagnosis and started to share her story and challenge the harmful falsehoods behind HPV so women like her can stay informed against ...

9 Ways to Support Latino Brain Health for Hispanic Heritage Month

September 16, 2026

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! One of the best ways to honor Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year is by honoring yourself – including maintaining your brain health. Follow these nine ways to support brain health for Hispanic Heritage Month. 1. Familiarize Yourself with Cognitive Decline Risk Factors Several lifestyle and health factors can impact your risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these risk factors so you can make the changes needed to improve your brain health. Here’s how you can lower your risk for cognitive decline: Maintain a healthy body weight Protect your head from traumatic brain injuries by wearing protective gear Support a more ...

9 Inspirational Icons of Latino Culture

September 14, 2026

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month and we are honoring the pioneers, activists, silver screen darlings, and songstresses who put their unique stamp on Hispanic historia and the lasting impact they’ve had on Latino community. Here are 9 icons who influenced Latino culture and inspired future generations to continue their legacy. Rita Moreno Rita Moreno danced and sang her way into our hearts with her role in the movie musical West Side Story. Before stepping into the spotlight, there was no one that looked or sounded like her on screen. “I had no real role model. There was nobody that I could look up to and say that’s somebody like me. There was no such person. Which is probably why I’m now known in my community as La Pionera, ‘the ...

José Adorno: Improving Cancer Outcomes for Spanish-Speaking Patients

September 11, 2026

Before stepping into the cancer advocacy and support space, the only thing José Adorno knew about cancer was that it killed people and he hated it. It started when on a vacation. He had met some family friends, and their daughter had given birth to a baby girl. “Her sister had given birth to this little baby ... and she had cancer when [her baby] was not even two years old,” he recalled. “She passed away a few months after her diagnosis. [The] mom couldn't even carry [her baby] at times because she was in so much pain, so that's the picture of cancer that I had in my head ... just how ugly it can get.” José’s perception of cancer changed when he was unexpectedly offered a position to help Spanish-speaking cancer patients find resources they needed to keep up with ...

Watch: Navigating the Trials & Triumphs of Breast Cancer

September 11, 2026

Instagram Live: Navigating the Trials & Triumphs of Breast Cancer

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are pulling back the curtain on the highs and lows of navigating the breast cancer experience with a special Instagram Live event. Dr. Amelie Ramirez, the director of UT Health San Antonio’s Institute for Health Promotion Research and leader of Salud America!, is leading a discussion between Susan G. Komen patient navigator Marcela Orozco and Deborah Blake-Ontiveros, a two-time breast cancer survivor and Latina patient advocate. In partnership with Susan G. Komen, “Navigating the Trials & Triumphs of Breast Cancer,” covers topics such as the importance of patient navigation, clinical trials, advocacy, and finding bilingual resources. Watch on Instagram on the Salud ...

9 Things You Should Know About Thyroid Cancer

September 9, 2026

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S. with about 45,000 new diagnoses projected for 2026, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It’s also one of the more treatable cancers. Despite that, women, especially Latinas, face a higher burden of thyroid cancer. September is National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, so we are bringing attention to nine things you should know about thyroid cancer. 1. Thyroid Cancer Develops in the Thyroid Gland Thyroid cancer forms in the thyroid gland, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, is responsible for making hormones that regulate energy use in the body, including body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. One ...

8 Valuable Things to Know About Reproductive Cancers

September 8, 2026

The human reproductive system is an intricate network of structures, tubes, and organs that are responsible for giving life. But sometimes, it can also be a source of pain, discomfort, and disease. This includes gynecological and reproductive cancers, such as cervical cancer. Due to background-based stigmas, incorrect information, lack of access to reproductive care, and few women doctors, these cancer diagnoses can be difficult to accept and even harder to catch. For National Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, we are breaking down the top eight things to know about reproductive cancers. 1. There Are 5 Major Gynecological and Reproductive Cancers Gynecological cancers consist of 5 major cancer types. Cervical cancer. This is ...

About the Author

Catherine Stewart

Articles by Catherine Stewart