The winter holidays are nearing, which means a drop in temperatures and a rise in flu! From October 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025, officials recorded 38,960 flu-associated hospitalizations, according to the University of Minnesota. The first week of December is recognized as National Influenza Vaccination Week, a time to promote and remind others of the importance of getting vaccinated. How does flu season impact Latinos and all people? What preventive steps can you and your family take? Find a Flu Vaccine Near You!
Latinos and Flu Rates
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs, according to the It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. A 2021 study found that ...
When the holidays season is in full swing, families and friends gather to enjoy time together over warms meals and plenty of dessert. But sometimes food spoils the party. Every year, foodborne diseases sicken 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people), hospitalize 128,000 people, and kill 3,000 people, according to the CDC. Let’s tackle how we can prepare food safely and keep the holidays healthy.
What Is Food Poisoning?
You can get sick with food poisoning after swallowing certain germs like salmonella. Common symptoms include: Diarrhea
Stomach pain or cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever “Most people have mild illnesses [from food poisoning], but some infections spread by food are serious or even life-threatening. Some people may need ...
For seniors and other immunocompromised individuals, the best way to protect against severe effects from COVID-19 is to stay up-to-date with the CDC's vaccine recommendations and available treatments. But antivirals are underused. That's why our friends at CVEEP have resources to help protect against infectious respiratory diseases across the lifespan. CVEEP recently featured Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and cancer health researcher at the Mays Cancer Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, in a radio campaign for early treatment. The campaign, in English and Spanish, aired on 899 stations and generated 45.2 million impressions. "Please don't wait. Early treatment [of respiratory illnesses] makes a big difference," ...
Easy-to-use, informative, bilingual tools on infection control practices in the healthcare setting are essential for all healthcare workers. With this in mind, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched Project Firstline, a training and education collaborative that ensures all healthcare workers, no matter their role or educational background, have the infection control knowledge and understanding they need and deserve to protect themselves, patients, and coworkers. As part of Project Firstline, Salud America! and the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) are bringing you a Salud Talks Podcast series to explore infection control in healthcare. Episode 45 of the Salud Talks Podcast covers the need to bring infection control education to medical ...
Hispanic Heritage Month is here! This annual U.S. observance, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. We at Salud America! invite you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in these epic ways.
1. Learn How Hispanic Heritage Month Began
U.S. Congressmen Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and Henry B. Gonzales were among those who introduced legislation on the topic in 1968. President Lyndon Johnson implemented the observance as Hispanic Heritage Week that year. Did you know which U.S. President turned it from Hispanic Heritage Week to Hispanic Heritage Month? Learn more here.
2. Find Out Why Hispanic Heritage Month Starts on Sept. 15
Sept. 15 is ...
Born in Los Angeles to a Guatemalan mother and Mexican father, Josue Diaz-Melendez grew up in a vibrant Latino neighborhood, shaped by heritage and community. From a young age, Diaz-Melendez had a clear mission—to help his people and all people. That drive led him to pursue dentistry, where he could help people achieve healthier smiles. But he soon saw a chance to transform lives beyond the dentist’s chair.
Making a Switch
Diaz-Melendez worked hard to earn his bachelor’s in biology at the University of Southern California (USC) and later his doctorate in dental surgery at Columbia University. He moved to Philadelphia and began working as a dentist at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, fulfilling his goal of helping people. However, as Diaz-Melendez ...
Community can play a large role shaping who a person can become. For William Manriquez, who was born and raised in the bustling and vibrant borough of Manhattan in New York, he was deeply inspired by his community. In Manhattan, there is far more than just the fast-paced hum of people from backgrounds from around the world. You’ll find people walking their dogs, bicycling through Central Park, shopping in the corner bodegas, and sharing conversations with neighbors. “I was fortunate enough to grow up in a neighborhood where there was a sense of community,” Manriquez said. Now, as a second-year medical student at the CUNY School of Medicine at The City College of New York, Manriquez hopes he can one day provide well-rounded health care and infection prevention and control ...
Infection control can protect frontline workers, patients, and colleagues from the spread of germs in healthcare settings. However, challenges like a foreign language gap can hinder healthcare workers from effectively applying infection control measures. With this in mind, Salud America! and the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) have translated and created the English-to-Spanish Medical Terminology Fact Sheet as part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Project Firstline program. This English-to-Spanish Medical Terminology Fact Sheet aims to enhance communication of common medical terms related to infection control to improve provider-patient interactions, patient safety and understanding in healthcare settings. Download the fact ...
Infection control training and action is crucial for healthcare workers. With this in mind, check out the Infection Control Micro-Learns from the Project Firstline program of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Micro-learns are a series of guided infection control discussions that can be easily incorporated into team meetings or huddles led by an experienced team member with infection control expertise. Each micro-learn focuses on a single infection control topic and connects these concepts to immediate, practical value. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases and can lead to severe illness and even death. Let’s explore the Infection Control Micro-Learns on Measles. check out the micro-learn!
What Does Measles Look Like?
Measles ...
