June 16, 2023 was a big win for low-income Texas families. Gov. Greg Abbot signed House Bill 12, which extends Medicaid health coverage for Texas mothers from just 60 days after giving birth to a full year. This new bill, which is expected to take effect by the end of 2023, has massive potential to improve newborn and maternal health outcomes for Latinas and all mothers statewide. Here are several big-as-Texas reasons to celebrate the signing of House Bill 12!
Improved Access to Prenatal and Postpartum Care
Half of women having babies in Texas get their healthcare coverage through Medicaid, according to data gathered by March of Dimes. Many of these women are low-income Latinas who may not be able to afford another healthcare coverage option. Going without health ...
Motherhood can be an exciting time full of new experiences and cherished moments – but it can also be mentally and physically taxing. That’s why the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) created the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which celebrated its first anniversary on Mother’s Day 2023. Let’s explore how and why the hotline was used in the last year, and why the hotline is vital for supporting Latinas and all mothers.
About the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a free, 24/7, confidential hotline that provides support to women before, during, and after pregnancy via phone call or text. The hotline can be reached at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) and is well equipped to handle a variety ...
Did you know Latinos are expected to face a 142% rise in cancer cases in coming years? To address the heavy burden of Latino cancer, you can register now for UT Health San Antonio's 4th biennial Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference Feb. 21-23, 2024, at the Marriott Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. The conference will welcome researchers, physicians, community leaders, patient advocates, policymakers, and students from across the country to tackle Latino cancer from prevention to treatment to survivorship. “Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos is a sanctuary where we can share research, experience, and action to translate basic research into clinical best practices, effective community interventions, and professional training programs to eliminate cancer ...
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Project Firstline program provides all healthcare workers – no matter their role or educational background – the infection control training and resources they need to protect themselves, their patients, and their coworkers from infectious diseases. Now in its third year, Project Firstline is made up of a diverse group of more than 20 healthcare, public health, and academic partners, as well as state and local territorial health departments. In collaboration with the National Hispanic Medical Association, Salud America! is one of those partners. To support Project Firstline and our fellow partners, we’re spotlighting impressive infection control resources that are culturally tailored to diverse audiences. Today, ...
“Grab what you can,” said a frantic young mother to her four children in their small rural home in El Campo, Texas. As their mother swiftly shoved a few belongings in a bag, her four children began to grasp the seriousness of the situation and why she pulled them out of school mid-day. It was finally their chance to get out of town and leave their abusive father – who suffered from alcohol addiction – behind. Diana Anzaldua was one of those four children. She knew her parents struggled to make ends meet, especially since they were teen parents with mental health challenges of their own. “We faced day-to-day domestic violence and a chaotic household. My mom, of course, was depressed,” recalled a grown Diana, who is now a licensed clinical social worker and ...
Many in the US East Coast recently experienced heavy smoke exposure due to a series of wildfires burning in Canada. “This Canadian crisis has not been limited to the Great North. Smoke from the fires has spread across a large portion of the U.S., affecting air quality for millions across the East Coast, as the fires rage on without signs of stopping,” according to CBS News. This has further brought attention to the importance of wildfire safety. Let’s dive into this issue, how it impacts others, and key safety tips everyone should know!
How Do Wildfires and Smoke Impact Safety?
Dry conditions in much of the US can increase the potential for wildfires in or near wilderness areas, which can cause harmful smoke, according to the CDC. “This smoke can ...
Over 3.5 million children participated in early childhood programs as of 2020. Preschool and other early childhood education programs can greatly benefit children, especially Latino children. In fact, studies have shown that low-income Latino kids who attended early education programs at age 4 attain stronger academic skills. Let’s use #SaludTues on July 11, 2023, to explore early childhood education and how we can equitably ensure that its many benefits reach Latino children. WHAT: #SaludTues: How Do Latino Children Benefit from Preschool?
TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues
HOST: Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio (@SaludAmerica)
CO-HOSTS: Public Health ...
In the next few years, Latinos face a 142% rise in cancer rates. Latinos also experience cancer differently—from genetics to healthcare access to survivorship. That’s why Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, partnered with the Mays Cancer Center to create the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos (ASCL) biennial conference. Read the proceedings from the 2018 and 2020 ASCL Conferences. The 2022 ASCL Conference on Feb. 23-25, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas, welcomed over 250 prominent researchers, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the globe to address cancer health disparities among Latinos. Conference sponsors included major supporters Genentech ...
For many kiddos, early June is the official start of summer vacation. During this time, parents may breathe a sigh of relief – especially if their child suffers from school avoidance behavior. Experts say this behavior is yet another complicated layer in America’s mental health crisis. Let’s explore how school avoidance behavior presents in children, how COVID-19 worsened school avoidance behavior, and what resources are available for parents and educators.
What is School Avoidance Behavior?
School avoidance behavior is when a child refuses to attend school or has difficulty remaining in school the entire day, according to the School Avoidance Alliance. School avoidant behavior may start with your child missing sporadic days at school and progress to a point where ...
