New Spanish-Language Reality Show Competition Focused on Healthy Living



On Jan. 30, Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics living in the U.S. can tune in to a new original reality show competition aimed at giving Puerto Ricans a Total Transformation of lifestyle, which will air in the United States exclusively on WAPA America, the U.S. cable network arm of Puerto Rico's leading broadcaster. The new show, titled "Transformacion Total" (Total Transformation), will place 18 contestants from all regions of Puerto Rico together in a house for 15 weeks where they will work with a group of professionals as they take important steps toward adopting a new, healthy lifestyle. Former Miss Universe Zuleika Rivera will host the ...

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NEW! Latino Cancer PSA: Breast Cancer



Please watch our new Latino cancer PSA: "Fast Life." This true-to-life PSA shows that, despite busy lives, Latinas ages 40 and older should set aside time to take care of their own health and get their mammogram each year that can detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. Watch in English: Or watch in Spanish: How did this PSA affect you? Did it move you? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments ...

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New Spanish-Language Health Magazine


salud magazine

There's a new Spanish-language health magazine out called NIH MedlinePlus Salud. The magazine aims to provide reliable, up-to-date health information, breakthroughs from National Institutes of Health (NIH) research and real-people features. The Fall 2009 issue, pictured at right, features a story about Spanish-language TV personality Don Francisco, star of Sábado Gigante. Francisco was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 60. Get a free subscription ...

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Melanoma Diagnosed Later in Latinos, Blacks



Melanoma skin cancer is becoming more common among Hispanics and whites, and it is more likely to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage among blacks and Hispanics, new research shows. Melanoma is the least common but most deadly type of skin cancer. University of Miami researchers focused on 41,072 Florida residents diagnosed with the disease between 1990 and 2004. As expected, most cases — more than 39,000 — were seen in non-Hispanic whites. An additional 1,148 occurred in Hispanic whites, while 254 cases occurred among black men and women. Non-Hispanic whites accounted for most of the melanoma cases, but the timing of their diagnoses steadily improved. In contrast, timing of diagnoses did not improve in blacks and Hispanic whites, according to a news report about the study, which ...

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Cancer Survival Disparities Increase among Latinos, Minorities As Cancers Become More Treatable



Racial and ethnic disparities in cancer survival are greatest for cancers that can be detected early and treated successfully, including breast and prostate cancer, according to a new study, Medical News Today reports. Disparities are small for pancreatic, lung and other cancers with more limited early detection and treatment options. The study, published in the October 2009 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, found that, compared with whites, substantial survival disparities existed in more treatable cancers in Latinos, African-Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and several Asian/Pacific Islander population subgroups. The finding highlight the need to develop specific health policies and interventions to address social ...

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NIH Launches Program to Combat Obesity Among Latinos, Others



The National Institutes of Health is launching a $37 million research program on human behavior to develop more effective interventions to reduce obesity. The program, Translating Basic Behavioral and Social Science Discoveries into Interventions to Reduce Obesity, will fund interdisciplinary teams of researchers at seven sites. Investigators will conduct experimental and formative research to increase understanding of populations being studied, small studies known as proof of concept trials, and pilot and feasibility studies to identify promising new avenues for encouraging behaviors that prevent or treat obesity. The program’s studies focus on diverse populations at high risk of being overweight or obese, including Latino and African American adults, youths, low-income populations, ...

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Increasing the Diversity of the Cancer Research Workforce



Latinos and African Americans make up nearly 25 percent of the U.S. population. Yet, in 2005, they comprised only 3.2 percent of funded principal investigators on National Institutes of Health (NIH) research project grants and 5.5 percent of research trainees supported by NIH training grants. A concerted move is under way to change that, particularly at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where several programs are focused on increasing the diversity of the cancer research workforce. Read more about this effort ...

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NEW! Latino Cancer PSA: Breast Cancer



Please watch our new Latino cancer PSA: "Fast Life." This true-to-life PSA shows that, despite busy lives, Latinas ages 40 and older should set aside time to take care of their own health and get their mammogram each year that can detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. Watch in English: Or watch in Spanish: How did this PSA affect you? Did it move you? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments ...

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Latinos, Here’s Help to Quit Smoking



Need inspiration or help finding the way to quit smoking? There is good news: The Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR), the team behind SaludToday, has developed ¡Buena Vida! A Guide to Help You Quit Smoking. The booklet offers Latinos info, tools and tips for quitting smoking, and tells the stories of five Latinos who have quit, like Estefanía Villareal (pictured at right). Read the booklet in English. Read the booklet in Spanish. Find out more about the IHPR's materials to help Latinos quit ...

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