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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

Hoja Informativa: Conozca Cómo la Sequía Afecta la Salud Cerebral de los Latinos


dry vineyard in Cafayate, Argentina with winter mountains in the background

Cuando envejecemos, nuestro cuerpo cambia.   Los alimentos que nos gustan nos pueden caer mal, nos es más difícil movernos o podemos tener dificultad de recordar ciertas cosas.   Aunque estos son síntomas comunes del envejecimiento, existen otros factores menos conocidos que contribuyen a cómo envejecemos y a qué tan rápido algunos de estos problemas aparecen.   Un factor sorprendente es la sequía.   Por ejemplo, un estudio reciente encontró que los factores estresantes del medio ambiente, como los periodos largos de sequía, pueden causar un deterioro cognitivo más rápido.   Consulte nuestra nueva hoja informativa, ¿La Sequía Impacta la Salud Cerebral de los Latinos Mayores?, para ayudar a nuestros abuelos y abuelas a comprender cómo los ...

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8 Big Actions for Skin Cancer Awareness Month


Female dermatologist examining mole on patient shoulder using dermatoscope. Specialist performing skin cancer screening, melanoma prevention, and dermatology checkup in professional medical office.

Skin cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat and one of the most preventable if you take action to protect your skin from the harm of sun exposure.   Yet too many are still being diagnosed with the disease.  This is especially true for people in overlooked communities, especially Latinos and others who work under the sun in construction, farming, and other outdoor jobs.  May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month and we’re bringing attention to skin cancer by sharing these helpful resources and actions. 1. Calculate Your Skin Cancer Risk The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has an online tool to calculate your risk for skin cancer.  Input your demographics (i.e., eye color) and UV-related habits (i.e., number of sunburns) and get your risk for developing ...

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What Is My Risk for Skin Cancer?


Melanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month

1 in 5 people will get skin cancer in their lifetime.  That makes it critical to know what might increase your risk for skin cancer, especially Latinos who work in construction, farming, and other outdoor jobs.  May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness, so let’s explore skin cancer risk.  Skin Cancer Risk Factors  Some physical characteristics can increase your risk for skin cancer, according to the CDC.   Skin cancer can be more prevalent in people with lighter skin, eye, and hair colors.   DNA can also play significant factor.   If your skin easily burns or reddens, has freckles, or moles, you may be at a higher risk for skin cancer.  Those with a history of sunburns or tanning, have a family or personal history of skin cancer, or are of an older age may ...

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Fact Sheet: Learn How Drought Impacts Latino Brain Health


dry vineyard in Cafayate, Argentina with winter mountains in the background

When we get older, our body changes. The foods we like don’t respond quite the same way, it may be harder to get around, or it might even be difficult to recall certain memories. While these are all symptoms of aging, there are also lesser-known factors that contribute to how we age and how quickly some of these issues are brought on. One surprising factor is drought. For instance, a recent study has found that environmental stressors like long periods of drought can cause faster cognitive decline. Check out our new fact sheet, Does Drought Impact Brain Health in Older Latinos?, to help our abuelos and abuelas understand how environmental stressors can impact their brain health. This fact sheet was created by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of Salud America! and UT Health San Antonio based ...

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The State of Texans with Disabilities


Happy, caregiver and old woman in wheelchair at house for assistance, medical advice and homecare. Smile, nurse and senior person with disability of support, healthcare trust and patient consultation

Among all the people in Texas, 12.1% have a disability, according to data from the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) via the Texas Workforce Investment Council.    But who makes up the disabled population?  Which disabilities are the most prevalent and in which communities?   What resources are available to these individuals, their families, and caregivers?   Let’s explore the answers to reveal the state of Texans with disabilities.   Demographic Data: State of Texans with Disabilities  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines disability as a condition that impairs either the body or the mind, making it more difficult to perform day-to-day activities or tasks.  There are many different classifications of disability, including vision, ...

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Meet the 18 NIA-Funded Centers Tackling Aging Health Issues Across the US


Young man sitting next to an old sick aged woman in wheelchair taking her hands while talking and smiling

The US has an aging population, as the number of US adults aged 65 and older is set to increase from 58 million to 82 million by 2050, according to the Census Bureau.   With aging comes many challenges, including cognitive decline.   For example, as you age, your mind may take longer to recall names or words. Sometimes certain parts of the brain shrink, affecting memory and overall function.   That’s one of the reasons that the Demography & Economics of Aging Coordinating Center (DECC) was created by the National Institute on Aging (NIA).   The DECC is headquarters for 18 centers, including the San Antonio CAPAS Program at UT Health San Antonio, to help advance research on aging and Alzheimer’s disease.  Let’s meet the centers and how they are working ...

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Report: Immigration Status is a Challenge to Texas Health Care


State Capitol Building in downtown Austin, Texas

In November 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott executed a new policy via executive order directing state hospitals to ask patients about their citizenship status and report responses to Texas Health and Human Services.  The policy was a response to the increasing number of undocumented individuals getting health care at hospitals, claiming that it created a financial burden on Texas taxpayers.  As a result of this policy, Texas hospitals are seeing fewer undocumented individuals, according to a recent analysis by The Texas Tribune.   Let’s review the data and what it means for Latino health care across Texas.  Undocumented Immigrant Hospital Visits in Texas  Prior to the executive order, Texas hospitals received 30,000 visits from undocumented immigrants, according to the ...

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Salud Talks Podcast Episode 47: Saving Seats at the Table with the Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program


Salud Talks Podcast Episode 47: Saving Seats at the Table with the Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program

Cancer is a rising health threat for all people.  Latinos have a heavy cancer burden due to non-medical drivers, such as a lack of reliable transportation, housing, and food, to challenges with getting screening and care.  Also, too few Latinos are able to push for fair cancer research.   That’s where the Latino Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program comes into play.  Since 2024, the program has turned cancer survivors into patient leaders who are sitting on committees, helping with drug development, and creating materials to help Latinos.  The Salud Talks podcast caught up with some of the former trainees who are putting what they learned into practice.  Podcast host Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and director of the Institute for Health ...

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‘The Pitt’ Demonstrates How to Address the Latino Health Care Crisis


HBOs The Pitt

From acute bronchitis to car accidents to overdoses, you never know what is going to come through the doors of an emergency room.   However, the ER isn’t only for severe situations – some use it for primary care.  This is because the ER has an obligation to treat patients despite someone’s insurance or lack of insurance. That’s why it tends to expose cracks in the health care system.  The flaws of health care are mirrored in the HBO TV series The Pitt.   The fictional series, set inside a Pittsburg teaching hospital, primarily caters to low-income individuals, celebrates differences, brings awareness to relevant issues, and provides commentary on the US healthcare crisis.   Here are some of the ways The Pitt shows how to address the Latino health care crisis. ...

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