Just north of the Mexico-California border, the San Ysidro community is where nearly 1 in 5 people enter the U.S. by land to work, shop, learn, and see family. The result is a dynamic cultural exchange and a vibrant binational economic hub. Yet amid the hustle and bustle, environmental change has crept into this predominantly Latino community, adding pollution from heavy traffic, sewage contamination, and more. That is why community members came together to protect and educate their neighbors, leading to accomplishments in environmental justice that are chronicled in English and Spanish “story maps” by Community Voices for Action, a storytelling project from the AAMC Center for Health Justice. Let’s explore how community power led to a big change.
What Is Environmental ...
It’s National Cancer Survivor Month and we are honoring survivors in South Texas and beyond by reminding them that their journeys matter. In fact, they can even help future cancer survivors. That’s the hope of the Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship Cohort Study, which is based at UT Health San Antonio and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center based at the University of Miami. This study gathers cancer survivors’ unique stories to explore the familial, behavioral, mental, biological, medical, and other impacts on life after cancer. Let’s break down how each of these cancer types impacts the Hispanic/Latino population and how hearing from survivors helps make a difference for future generations of survivors.
Latina Breast ...
When you hear the words “cancer treatment,” many think of chemotherapy. The truth is there are many cancer treatments, such as surgery, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and more. In addition, clinical trials are a treatment option. Clinical trials are studies with volunteers that enable advances that can slow, manage, and treat diseases such as cancer. For example, a new clinical trial at UT Health San Antonio is testing a treatment that trains your immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells in the same way a vaccine works to protect you from disease. Let’s explore the new trial. join the clinical trial
How the Clinical Trial’s Cancer Treatment Works
Cancer treatments are designed to kill cancer ...
Of the 31.7 million people who live in Texas, 3.5 million (or 12%) have either a physical or mental disability, according to the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS). Each person, family, and disability type has its own unique set of challenges and needs. But as an overlooked population, Texans with disabilities and their families continue to slip through healthcare cracks across the state. To better serve this population, Baylor University researchers have launched the Raising Texas Voices study to collect the stories of more than 4,000 Texans with disabilities, their families, and the professionals and providers who serve them. Learn about the study, what it entails, and how it will help individuals, families, caregivers, and providers better serve Texans with ...
South Texas faces many challenges when it comes to brain cancer, such as struggles with non-medical drivers of health like housing, food, and transportation. To help your family and community deal with this issue, join a new presentation, “Brain Cancer Awareness,” at 11 a.m. Central on June 18, 2026. The presentation will feature Dr. Andrew Brenner, a brain health expert and professor of medicine at UT Health San Antonio. He will discuss what brain cancer is, risks and myths, recognizing symptoms, and the importance of early intervention. The presentation is part of the “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” webinar series, a collaboration of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach ...
Cancer is a serious health threat in South Texas. To improve cancer education and care for these communities, the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (MRGB AHEC) is launching the “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” in collaboration with the UT Health San Antonio Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE). The series will feature cancer-education webinars in June (brain), July (bone), September (prostate), and November (pancreas). “All cancers are equally important. They all impact on the quality of life for the individual, family, and community. The research shows that the earlier the detection, the earlier the treatment. Therefore, providing education on these types of cancer could lead to saving lives,” said ...
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled in favor of legally enforceable standards that limit toxic “forever chemicals,” also known as perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), in drinking water. Human exposure to PFAS is linked to adverse health effects, such as increased cancer risk. However, the current federal administration is revisiting the EPA’s ruling, claiming that the former administration didn’t follow proper channels to lawfully regulate the use of four key chemicals in the PFAS family, CNN reports. The EPA’s regulatory process is underway to repeal some PFAS limitations and delay implementation of others. July 2026 Update: The EPA received 53,643 comments regarding protections for safe drinking water and ...
May is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time to celebrate and support those who have gone through a cancer journey! Let’s look at five ways to celebrate, honor, and support cancer survivors.
1. Read about Real Latino Cancer Survivors
At Salud America!, we’re inspired by personal stories of cancer survivorship. That is why we showcase amazing Salud Heroes like Marielle Santos McLeod, who survived colon cancer and now champions the patient voice through advocacy work. “It allows me the opportunity not only to be a [patient leader], but to also share the importance of why our [involvement in research] matters,” Santos McLeod said. Read more about these Salud Heroes: Read more about these Salud Heroes: Brittney Millard: Helping Patients and Persevering Through ...
Arnoldo Rodriguez prides himself in keeping a professional appearance. Whether it be in his position as an educator, school administrator, executive, or in educational sales, the McAllen, Texas, resident always dressed to impress. That’s why Arnoldo knew when he put on a crisp suit and the once-clinging fabric hung loosely at his arms, he knew something wasn’t quite right. Around this time, he would also get excessively tired despite his penchant for exercise. Everything pointed in one direction, and his swollen lymph nodes confirmed the worst ¾ he had cancer. Months of unsuccessful lymphoma treatment led him to participate in a clinical trial and it was that decision that led him on the path to patient leadership. “The clinical trial was my ...
