Report: Hispanics Suffer More Diabetes, Work-Related Deaths, and Uncontrolled Blood Pressure



Hispanics suffer a heavier burden of health conditions like diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure, and work-related deaths, according to a new federal report. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Supplement, released on Nov. 21 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlights differences in mortality and disease risk for multiple conditions related to behaviors, access to health care, and social determinants of health—the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, age, and work. The report highlights several Hispanic-oriented issues or conditions: Preventable hospitalization rates were highest for Hispanics and blacks. Diabetes rates were highest among Hispanics and blacks. Rates of uncontrolled blood pressure were highest among Mexican ...

Read More

New Spanish-Language Anti-Smoking Website



About 5 million U.S. Latinos smoke, and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Latino men and second-leading cause among Latina women, according to federal data. To address this important public health issue, the National Cancer Institute developed http://espanol.smokefree.gov/, a website created specifically for Spanish speakers who want to quit smoking or know someone who does. Resources include interactive checklists and quizzes, advice on how to help a loved one quit, and real-time support and ...

Read More

Latino Health in Focus: Surviving Cancer, Reducing Obesity



Find the latest advances in Latino health—from a new support group for young cancer survivors to obesity prevention—in IHPR Noticias, the newsletter from the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the team behind SaludToday. IHPR Noticias has these stories and more: Story: "Breast Friends Forever" Support Group for Young Cancer Survivors in San Antonio (Pg 1) Profile: Inspired by Grandparents...The Story of the IHPR's Rosalie Aguilar (Pg 2) Study: Obesity, Diabetes Biggest South Texas Health Threats (Pg 3) Video: Dr. Amelie Ramirez on the Future of Latino Health Care (Pg 4) Study: Síclovía Events Encourage Healthy Behaviors (Pg 6) Study: Racial/Ethnic Disparities Remain in Breast Cancer Rates ...

Read More

Report: Obesity Rates Level Off; Still Higher in Hispanics, Blacks



While U.S. obesity rates appear to have leveled off, Hispanics and Blacks have strikingly higher obesity rates than their White and Asian peers, Bloomberg reports. The good news is that overall adult obesity is not rising. About one-third of American adults (about 78 million people) are obese, about the same number as across the last decade, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report was led by researcher Dr. Cynthia L. Ogden. But racial/ethnic disparities in obesity rates continue to be alarming. About 43 percent of Hispanics and 48 percent of blacks are obese, compared with 33 percent of whites and 11 percent of Asians, Bloomberg reports. Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director the Salud ...

Read More

Report: Obesity, Diabetes Are Biggest Health Threats in South Texas



Diabetes and obesity are the two most significant health threats in South Texas, according to a new report published online in Springer Open Books by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) in the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The South Texas Health Status Review, originally self-published in 2008, was updated this year to study more than 35 health conditions and risk factors and how people in South Texas may be differently affected than those in the rest of Texas or nation. The Review, in addition to singling out diabetes and obesity, also indicates that the South Texas region faces higher rates than the rest of Texas or nation for: Cervical, liver, stomach and gallbladder cancers Child and adolescent ...

Read More

Research: Latino Kids Have High Exposure to Unhealthy Snacks at School



Latino students are widely exposed to high-fat, high-sugar snacks and drinks sold in schools, but implementing stronger nutritional standards can yield healthier school snacks for this growing population at high risk of obesity, according to a new package of research materials released today by Salud America! The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Research Network to Prevent Obesity Among Latino Children. The new Salud America! “Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids” research materials, which can be found at www.salud-america.org, include: • A research review with the latest science; • An issue brief (lay summary of the review); • An infographic; and • An animated video This is the first of six new research material packages to be released over the summer by ...

Read More

Video: What Do Latino Students Think about Smoking?



A new video highlights Latino students and their views on not smoking. The videos, available in English and Spanish, were done by a Latino group, Manantial de Salud, a federally funded grassroots health network sponsored by the Latino Healthcare Forum in the Dove Springs neighborhood of Austin, ...

Read More

Latinos, Get a Colonoscopy, It Could Save Your Life



Having a colonoscopy might be pretty low on Latino adults’ to-do lists. Even hearing the term “colonoscopy” might make some people a bit squeamish. But it can also save your life. Just take it from Armida Flores, a promotora (a trained community health worker) at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Flores spends her days helping people confront cancers and illness. Because of this, she began to worry about her own health and decided to schedule a colonoscopy. “I was a little bit nervous about it but, to my surprise, the procedure was not too bad,” Flores said. “I was asleep, so I did not feel any pain or discomfort.” After explaining the procedure using simple medical terms, the doctor even ...

Read More

Infographic: Can Culture Help Prevent Latino Health Problems?



Check out Balsera Communications' infographic on how culture may help prevent Latino health problems. Latinos face a high risk of certain health problems—heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and certain cancers—but the infographic argues that, "by infusing some of the most cherished traits of our culture into solutions for our health disparities, we can help overcome them in a fun and effortless ...

Read More