UT Health San Antonio, including Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, and seven regional collaborators will leverage $46 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over the next five to seven years to translate scientific discoveries into therapeutic benefits for human health and well-being. A key focus will be reducing health differences among Latinos (particularly Mexican Americans), active military personnel, and veterans. Dr. William L. Henrich, president of UT Health San Antonio, recently announced the funding from the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program. Henrich thanked partners including The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School and College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at San Antonio and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute for ...
A young Rosa Escalante Lopez curiously looked around the therapist’s room as her mother and the therapist chatted in Spanish. “The elementary school thinks she may have a learning disability,” Rosa’s mother said. “She’s struggling in math.” “According to my evaluation, your daughter is developing normally,” the therapist said with a smile. “She can continue to the next grade; she may just need extra tutoring in her math class.” As the two continued to talk, Rosa reflected on her session with the therapist. She was fascinated with the idea of helping people heal a wound that may not be visible, such as a learning disability or a mental health condition. “In my last year of elementary school, I remember thinking, ‘I'm going to be a psychologist and ...
Latinos have the second-highest rate of dying from liver cancer. Understanding the reasons why this is happening can reveal how to address this suffering and prevent liver cancer among Latinos, which can improve health for the broader population. “Understanding the causes of Latino liver cancer rates in South Texas and across the nation is critical. We must develop interventions and identify high-risk individuals who may be screened and treated with the best available care,” said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. So, why does liver cancer hurt Latinos in particular?
1. Aflatoxin Exposure
Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on ...
Researchers at The Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio are recruiting participants for the VIVA-MIND study to learn whether a new drug therapy for Alzheimer’s disease can help people experiencing mild memory problems. Volunteers ages 50 to 89 with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or probable mild Alzheimer’s may ask about eligibility for VIVA-MIND, said Dr. Sudha Seshadri, professor of neurology and director of the Glenn Biggs Institute. Half of volunteers will be given the new drug therapy, an oral pill called varoglutamstat. The other half will receive a placebo pill that looks just like the study drug. “The first people who will benefit from a new Alzheimer’s disease treatment are those who are ...
We know many types of cancer deeply and affect U.S. Latinos. Liver cancer is a particular problem. In fact, Latinos have the second-highest rate of dying from liver cancer among certain groups, according to the CDC. Let’s examine the data and unpack this rising crisis for Latinos.
What is Liver Cancer?
The liver has many important jobs in the body. It plays a role in digestion, supporting healthy blood flow, breaking down needed nutrients, and more. Liver cancer can start at any part of the liver. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). “Liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It has 2 lobes and fills the ...
“Now remember, you must return your books on time,” said the librarian at the local public library in Austin, Texas. She peered down at 6-year-old Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., who eagerly nodded in agreement. She smiled and handed the child his first library card. From there, Octavio fell in love. Hard. He loved books and became a ferocious reader. With each page turn, his passion for learning grew. By the time he reached sixth grade, he knew he was destined for college and had even earned the nickname “professor” among his friends. Now a grown man, Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr. has since earned four college degrees, including a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health. He is also one of the nation’s top mental health leaders and philanthropists, a ...
Most people with COVID-19 get better within a few days to a few weeks after COVID-19 infection. But some people, including many Latinos, develop long COVID. Long COVID remains an unresolved threat to the health of Latinos and all people. While health experts don’t yet fully understand long COVID symptoms and risk factors, progress is being made regarding treatment. Let’s learn more about how researchers are working to find the most effective therapies for long COVID through research studies and clinical trials.
Relieving the Burden of Long COVID Symptoms
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the RECOVER research study in 2021 to learn why some people experience long COVID or develop new or returning symptoms after COVID-19 infection. Now, based on ...
Dr. Amelie Ramirez, leader of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, has won the 2023 Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) Cancer Health Award. The award recognizes exceptional leadership in promoting health improvement and promoting health and fairness for people of all backgrounds at a cancer center. Past winners are Dr. Robert A. Winn of the VCU Massey Cancer Center and Dr. Electra D. Paskett of Ohio State University. Ramirez, nominated by the award by former Mays Cancer Center Director Dr. Ruben Mesa, will be recognized at AACI's annual meeting Oct. 2, 2023. "I am honored to receive the AACI Cancer Health Award. It recognizes the hard work we do at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio to promote health, study new approaches to reduce health issues, ...
Young Latinos face many challenges when it comes to mental health support and resources. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has highlighted ongoing projects and resources that contribute to decreasing the issues that plague the Latino youth mental health crisis. “Evidence indicates that Hispanic and Latino youth have pressing mental health needs and are not receiving adequate mental health care,” according to Dr. Joshua A. Gordon, NIMH director, in a blog. Let’s explore the Latino youth mental health crisis and what resources can help.
Latino Youth Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic affected youth from minority communities and worsened the health differences experienced by these communities. Factors like not being treated fairly, ...
