Dental hygiene and education are important parts of our daily life. However, nearly 26% of adults and 46% of children have untreated or restored dental caries (better known as cavities), according to the CDC. October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a time to not only honor dental hygienists, but also raise awareness and promote good oral hygiene. Let’s take a look into some resources that can help educate families and communities when it comes to oral health and hygiene.
1. Mouthy Health
Mouthy Health, created through the American Dental Association, provides resources like tips on choosing a dentist, nutrition, nicotine use, and paying for dental care. Mouthy Health also has steps and tools on daily dental routines. The website’s Find-a-Dentist tool allows ...
Flooding accounts for about 11% of all billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That makes it important to have a plan to deal with severe weather, storms, and flooding. “Prepare for floods by getting flood insurance, gathering your disaster supplies, and staying informed on potential weather alerts,” the Texas General Land Office states. Let’s look at how you can gear up when it comes to severe weather locally and protect your familia, neighbors, and communities.
1. Know Your Risk & Staying Informed amid Potential Flooding
During times of severe weather and potential flooding, it is important to stay informed and know what is happening in your area. Staying up to date with ...
Latinos are not proportionally represented in research, nursing, and doctoral fields, even though they make up 20% of the U.S. population. The Éxito! program aimed to fill that gap. Éxito!, created by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio, recruited 226 students and health professionals over 11 years for a culturally tailored curriculum to promote pursuit of a doctoral degree and Latino cancer research career. With the 20th anniversary of the IHPR on Oct. 1, 2026, now is a good time to check in and see some Éxito! trainees have progressed!
About the Éxito! Program at the IHPR
Each year from 2011 to 2021, the IHPR’s Éxito! program hosted a five-day summer institute in San Antonio, Texas. The event ...
Heart disease is the top cause of death among U.S. Latinos. In addition, data shows widening gaps in hypertension control, obesity, and diabetes among Hispanic populations, heightening their risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a new scientific statement by the American Heart Association (AHA). "Advancing cardiovascular and [fair] health will require developing a deeper understanding of the unique drivers of cardiovascular disease within ... Hispanic communities, addressing barriers such as language and insurance access, and implementing culturally tailored interventions and policies," according to AHA's scientific statement. Let's explore AHA's statement and some ways to take action during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Heart Issues among Latinos
AHA's scientific statement ...
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 ...
With cancer still a top health threat, UT Health San Antonio leaders and national cancer experts have published an online book with innovative recommendations to reduce cancer among Latinos and all people. The book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” highlights results of the same-named conference that brought 350 researchers, advocates, and survivors to San Antonio in February 2026. A follow-up conference is planned for Feb. 23-25, 2028, in San Antonio. Included in the book are promising research findings on Latino cancer and strategies for new research covering the entire cancer continuum. This includes advances in genetics, prevention, screening, detection, treatment, survivorship, and policy, said Dr. Amelie ...
Cancer is a threat to the health of Latinos and all people. 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 Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations (ACRLP) biennial conference series. On Feb. 18-20, 2026, the newest ACRLP conference welcomed over 350 prominent researchers, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the globe to address cancer among Latinos and all people in San Antonio, Texas. Conference sponsors included: Genentech, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Revolution Medicine, Natera, AstraZeneca (platinum); Blood Cancer United, Menarini Stemline, Eli Lilly (gold); National ...
People are increasingly coming to AI for help with health. Today, one of four Americans say they use AI chatbots to diagnose health symptoms, according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center. These users are also learning about their lab results and treatment options. To understand the reasons why, let’s dive deeper into this topic and how it can impact the health of our neighbors and communities.
Why Are Chatbots Used for Health Info?
Americans use AI chatbots for several health reasons, according to a Pew Research survey of 3,488 U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026. Reasons include: Get health information quickly
Figure out what's causing symptoms
Get health information at little to no cost
Get health information about treatments
Learn more ...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a rule change to require food companies to notify regulators before introducing ingredients or additives into processed or packaged foods, according to federal health leaders. Under the rule, companies would have to submit a safety rationale for new ingredients. “The proposal would change a decades-old policy that advocates have called a regulatory loophole, blaming it for allowing thousands of unvetted ingredients into the U.S. food supply,” according to the Associated Press. You can submit a public comment crafted by Salud America! to provide feedback on FDA’s plan to tighten restrictions on new food additives and ingredients. Comments are due Dec. 9, 2026. Comment NOW!
Submit This Model Comment on Food ...
Tell FDA: Tighten Restrictions on Food Additives and Ingredients
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a rule change to require food companies to notify regulators before introducing ingredients or additives into processed or packaged foods, according to federal health leaders. Under the rule, companies would have to submit a safety rationale for new ingredients. “The proposal would change a decades-old policy that advocates have called a regulatory loophole, blaming it for allowing thousands of unvetted ingredients into the U.S. food supply,” according to the Associated Press. You can submit a public comment crafted by Salud America! to provide feedback on FDA’s plan to tighten restrictions on new food additives and ingredients. Comments are due Dec. 9, 2026. Comment NOW! Submit This Model Comment on Food ...
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