Millions of Latinos at Risk for Losing Medicaid, CHIP Coverage in 2024 



The time is now to secure medical insurance through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  After three years of automatic renewal because of the COVID-19 pandemic, states went back to screening for eligibility in early 2023.  As a result, an estimated 15 million people, including 4.6 million Latinos, could lose their medical coverage through these programs over the next few months, depending on what state you live in.   To address this, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a new online resource to help people navigate the renewal and/or healthcare transition processes.   “Nobody who is eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program should be disenrolled simply because they didn’t have enough ...

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Teen Video Contest Aims for More Diversity in STEM Careers



The National Eye Institute (NEI) is framing the way for future success in a career in health and science for teens by holding its annual Eye on the Future campaign. Just like last year, the Eye on the Future campaign kicks off with a $2,000 teen video contest. “We created the [contest] because we want to hear from the next generation of scientists (that’s you!) about why science is so important,” according to the NEI website. “And we want to encourage high school students from all backgrounds to learn more about science.” Submit a Video to the ‘Eye on the Future’ Teen Video Contest Interested high school students can enter NEI’s Eye on the Future contest by submitting a 30-second-to-3-minute video showcasing one of three categories, as per the contest ...

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Help South Texas Researchers Learn More About Sleep Disturbance



Do you get the recommended 7-10 hours of sleep a night?   Insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality contribute to the development and management of many health issues, from diabetes to heart disease, according to the CDC.   Researchers at UT Health San Antonio and their partners are studying sleep disturbances among blood cancer patients and comparing effectiveness of two wellness-based mobile apps to help improve sleep.   The Reducing Sleep disTurbance in Cancer (REST-C) study, also called the Heme Study, is a clinical trial that is currently recruiting adults diagnosed with blood cancer and experiencing sleep disturbance. A clinical trial is a study that helps researchers learn more about how different treatments and interventions can be used to help slow, manage, and ...

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Join a Free Virtual Health Careers Job Fair!



A step toward a career in health is one click away. The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is offering a free virtual health careers job fair for individuals looking to kick start their career in health. On Tuesday, Jan. 23, and Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, the Virtual Health Professions Fair is giving potential SHPEP applicants, high school and college students, parents, and academic advisors a chance to mingle with school representatives in various health areas from across the country. Throughout the fair, those registered to attend will learn about different aspects of the health field, including application and standardized test strategies, the program itself, and the importance of diversity and representation in the healthcare field. REGISTER NOW! The Importance of ...

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Take Action to Lower Your Risk for Cervical Cancer



Today is a great time to protect yourself and others cervical cancer.    For Latinos, cancer is the leading cause of death. Latinos also are more likely than their peers to develop cancer in the liver, stomach, and cervix.  The good news is you can lower your cervical cancer risk!   In celebration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, let’s dive deeper into how we protect against cervical cancer.   Cervical Cancer Risk Factors and Symptoms   Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex, according to the CDC.   There are different types of HPV. Some cause changes on your cervix that can lead to cervical cancer.   Other risk factors include having HIV (the ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 3/5/24─Four Years Later: How COVID-19 Is Impacting Latinos


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COVID-19 is not over. For the past four years, the virus has disrupted life and health. Data continue to show that the pandemic worsened historical health and social inequities, especially for Latinos. How can we address this? Let’s use #SaludTues on March 5, 2024, to explore health inequities facing the Latino population over the past four years (and long before that), and share solutions and strategies to promote health equity in the face of COVID-19! WHERE: Twitter WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat “4 Years Later: How COVID-19 Is Impacting Latinos” WHEN: 1-2 p.m. ET (12-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, March 5, 2024 HOST: Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio (@SaludAmerica) CO-HOSTS: Latinx Voces (@latinxvocesllc); Moms Rising (@MomsRising); MamasConPoder ...

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How You Can Promote Healthy Vision for Glaucoma Awareness Month



Glaucoma is defined as a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of your eye, called the optic nerve.  At first, glaucoma doesn’t usually have any symptoms.   “Over time, you may slowly lose vision, usually starting with your side (peripheral) vision — especially the part of your vision that’s closest to your nose. Because it happens so slowly, many people can’t tell that their vision is changing at first,” according to the National Eye Institute (NEI).   With the month of January recognized as Glaucoma Awareness Month, let’s explore helpful glaucoma-related resources that can help people protect their vision!    Types of Glaucoma   There are several types of glaucoma, with some being caused by ...

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Top Doctor Shares Why the COVID-19 Vaccine is Important



The COVID-19 virus is still a threat for many.   U.S. Latinos continue to suffer a disproportionate share of COVID-19 cases.    Fortunately, vaccines are available and free for children and adults, and they’re the best way to protect yourself and your family against the worst outcomes of the virus!    Dr. Ramon Cancino, a family medicine physician at UT Health San Antonio and leader of the UT Health Physicians Primary Care Center, stressed the importance of getting vaccinated.   “If we have enough folks who are vaccinated in our community, it'll protect everybody else, too, because transmission and infection rates would be decreased amongst those patients, which would decrease the risk for everybody else,” Cancino said.   Find a vaccine near ...

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San Antonio: Learn How Cancer Impacts Latinos (En Español)!


san antonio latino cancer event LLS

You are invited to join the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for a free Spanish-language event in San Antonio to help Latinos learn and respond to their cancer risks! The event, "Aprendiendo Sobre Los Cánceres Que Afectan a Los Latinos y Cómo Enfrentarlos," is set for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, 76 NE Interstate Loop 410, San Antonio. Dinner is free! Registration is required. "This is a unique opportunity for patients, caregivers, and the community to learn from experts on topics, including learning what cancers that most affect our Latino community," according to LLS. REGISTER FOR THE EVENT! About the Event on Latino Cancer Latinos are a dynamic, diverse, rising population. But cancer threatens the future health of the U.S. Latino ...

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