VIDEO: ‘I Choose Life’ Is Story of Latina’s Diabetes Experience



Check out this very inspirational video about one Latina's experience with diabetes. Her name is Joanna Puello. The video was written, edited, and produced by Puello for her class at Full Sail ...

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Vital Vaccine Information Now in Spanish



The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently launched a Spanish version of its vaccine information website, which aims to answer questions, educate about diseases that vaccines prevent, and connect individuals with resources to keep themselves and their families healthy. The Spanish version of the site includes the following: Easy-to-read vaccine recommendation schedules for all age groups and health conditions; Clear information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent; Tips on travel immunizations and staying healthy abroad; Resources regarding vaccine requirements for school or child care entry; Info on where to get vaccinated and programs to make immunizations more affordable, including a community clinic locator; and Tools to share content ...

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New Tools to Improve Access to Healthy Foods



Community leaders, here are two new tools to help improve access to healthy foods: Buy Fresh, Buy Local Can government agencies prioritize locally grown products when they’re buying food for places like schools, hospitals, jails, and other public facilities? It depends on state and local laws, funding restrictions, and other considerations. The Buy Fresh, Buy Local report looks at when and how agencies can give preference to locally grown food when they’re using tax dollars to purchase goods. Growing Change Debate is heating up on Capitol Hill over the Farm Bill, which is up for renewal this fall. This piece of federal legislation helps determine the types of food we eat and how much it costs — and local community leaders can play an important role in making sure it ...

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Obesity Rate Surges Among Mexican-American Adults



The percentage of obese Mexican-American adults has risen from 21% in 1984 to 35% in 2006 to 40% in 2010, according to new government data, USA Today reports. Mexican-American adults' obesity rates also were higher than the national average of 36%. According to the USA Today report: The percentage of Mexican-American adults with diabetes was 14% in 2006, higher than the most recent national average of about 11%. About 22% of Mexican-American adults had high blood pressure and 20% had high cholesterol in 2006. These rates have remained stable over the last few decades. The prevalence increases with age. The average intake of calories for Mexican-American men was 2,521 in 2006; women, 1,827 calories. Those numbers have increased by several hundred calories each since 1984. The ...

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Event Wrap-Up: Cancer Prevention and Women



Researchers from the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio taught a crowd of more than 30 health professionals and social workers the importance of providing bilingual and culturally sensitive health care at a unique training event March 8, 2012, in San Antonio. The event, “Cancer Prevention & Women: A Look at Programs that Address Health Disparities Among Medically Underserved Populations,” stemmed from a partnership between the IHPR and the San Antonio College (SAC) Empowerment Center. IHPR researchers Dr. Daisy Morales-Campos, Christina M. Carmona, Rose A. Treviño, Guadalupe Cornejo and Erika G. Casasola discussed Latino breast, cervical and colorectal cancer rates and cultural factors that impede individuals from ...

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VIDEOS: ‘No Excuses’ for Not Getting Colorectal Cancer Screening



What's your excuse? A new bilingual public service announcement (PSA) from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) addresses common excuses and misconceptions that lead people to delay or avoid getting screened for colorectal cancer. The PSA features men and women who voice their personal reasons for not being screened, while an off-camera announcer responds by providing facts about colorectal cancer screening and its importance. Adults ages 50-59, Hispanics, and persons with lower income, less than a high school education, and without health insurance were least likely to have been screened for colorectal cancer, according to CDC statistics. Watch in English: Watch in ...

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APPLY: Mentoring Researchers in Latino Health Disparities



Apply now for a program, “Investing in America’s Future: Mentoring Researchers in Latino Health Disparities,” which aims to mentor junior faculty, scientists and post-doctoral individuals pursuing research in Latino cardiovascular disease to increase this field of research. The program, led by San Diego State University, will bring together accomplished and aspiring researchers in Latino public health at a two-week summer institute from July 20-Aug. 3, 2012, in San Diego. Additional mentoring will be provided through ongoing communication with an assigned mentor, a mid-year visit to each of the mentee’s research settings, and a second summer institute in San Diego in 2013. Travel, housing, ground transportation and per diem will be provided. Rolling admissions now are ...

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How an ‘Exercise Avoider’ Becomes an ‘Exercise Promoter’



Laura Esparza used to be an “exercise avoider.” She steered clear of physical activities that resembled the P.E. classes of her youth, and had little confidence to work out or try playing any sports. That changed when Esparza, a parent of three children and community volunteer in San Antonio, Texas, grew increasingly concerned with rising local obesity levels and learned that daily physical activity is an essential element of everyone’s physical and mental health. Now she exercises regularly and is an avid “exercise promoter” at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she researches ways to increase Latino families’ physical activity. “Spurred by my own experience, I became interested in ...

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Innovation in Preventing Latino Cervical Cancer, Obesity & More



Find the latest in Latino health—from fighting Latina cervical cancer to innovative ways to tackle Latino childhood obesity—in the new E-newsletter from the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. The IHPR E-newsletter has these stories: Story and Video: Preventing Cervical Cancer in South Texas (Pg 1) Story: How an “Exercise Avoider” Became an “Exercise Promoter” (Pg 2) Story: The Importance of Latino Biospecimens (Pg 2) Story: 20 Studies Tackle Latino Childhood Obesity (Pg 3) Story: Who is Promotora of the Year? (Pg 4) Videos: “Feeding Minds” Series Addresses Hunger, Obesity in Texas (Pg 6) The E-newsletter is jam-packed with even more info on the latest local and national health ...

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