Modesto Junior College Hosts Fair for Incoming Latino Students



As Latinos continue to grow as a population (they are currently the nation’s largest racial and ethnic minority group), the focus on increasing educational opportunities for them has become a front burner topic on the agenda of many organizations. In Modesto, Calif. (37.54% Latino population), one local institution has taken an innovative approach to not only increase Latino enrollment, but also to ensure that they succeed once they begin. Modesto Junior College recently completed its Hispanic Education Conference in which hundreds of local students were “exposed to higher education” through a series of workshops and motivational speakers. Increasing Latino students’ exposure to higher education outlets has been identified as a key way to eliminating some barriers that they ...

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Panera Bread Posts Added Sugars on Self-Serve Beverages



Eating and drinking healthier can be a challenge, especially when dining out. Now, Panera Bread announced their series of sugary beverages that will show the nutritional information, calories, and amount of sugars for each beverage. The first national restaurant company to post calories and sugars in its beverages, Panera plans to continue improving transparency for their customers, as they were one of the first chains to post calories on menus in 2010. “We believe people deserve to know exactly what’s in their drink so they can make the best choice for their lifestyle,” said Sara Burnett, Director of Wellness, Panera Bread explained in their press release.  “We know more and more guests are looking to reduce their added sugar consumption, and we’re providing an ...

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Water Champions Push H2O for Latino Kids, Families



Water isn't magic, but it can help you stay hydrated, control calories, and fuel muscles. But Latino kids don't drink enough water. In fact, Latino kids drink less plain water and more sugary drinks than white kids. That is according to research by Salud America!, a national Latino childhood obesity prevention network at UT Health San Antonio. That’s why we are spotlighting heroes who work hard to push water for Latino kids and families! Praxina Guerra: 5th-Grader Gets Hydration Station in School San Antonio fifth-grader Praxina Guerra and her mentor, Cathy Lopez, are true Salud Heroes when it comes to creating a healthy school environment. Praxina, spurred on by Lopez, joined the city's San Antonio Student Ambassador program and created a student club to encourage ...

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San Antonio Seeking Student Ambassadors for 2017-2018


Latino Health Student Ambassador School MFC

The San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council (MFC) Student Ambassador Program is looking for the next group of kids to make their school or community healthier. Not only does San Antonio face high rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, but residents face disparities in chronic disease by income, education, and racial and ethnic groups. For example 15% of Latino have diabetes compared to 12% of Non-Latino whites, and 24% of people with an annual income below $25,000 have diabetes compared to 8% of those with an annual income greater than $50,000. It is critical for projects, programs, and policies in San Antonio to address structural and systemic inequity that leads to these disparities. "Now in its fifth year, the Mayor’s Fitness Council trains student ambassadors to ...

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Teachers Who Went Above and Beyond for Latino Students



What makes a great teacher? Great teachers not only work hard to ensure the academic success and leadership skills of their students, they also help students develop healthy habits for life. That's why we at Salud America! are excited to spotlight some teachers who have gone above and beyond for the well-being of their students! Ana Suffle: School Garden Maven El Paso, Texas, shares its border with Mexico. This creates an interesting cultural dynamic where some students cross the border daily from Mexico to go to Bowie High School in El Paso. Ana Suffle, a 15-year teacher at Bowie, said many students eat cheap, addictive fast food instead of traditional Hispanic dishes filled with fresh veggies, spices and tons of flavor, according to a Salud Hero story by Salud ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 3/28/17: Let’s Celebrate National Nutrition Month


food at grocery store latino kids

The nutritional quality of the food we eat will impact our health now and in the long run. For instance, too much salt in one’s diet can increase a person’s chances of having high blood pressure. While eating more fruits and vegetables can help prevent weight gain and reduce one’s risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. Let's use #SaludTues on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, and join a great panel of co-hosts and YOU on Twitter to spread the word about what can be done to promote better nutrition in Latino communities and reduce disparities in chronic disease, as part of National Nutrition Month in March 2017. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: Let’s Celebrate National Nutrition Month TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2017 WHERE: On ...

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New Grocery Store in Ohio Helps Increase Healthy Food Access



In Vinton County, Ohio a new grocery store is helping to provide access to fresh fruits and vegetables, where there once was a food desert, with little to no access to healthy foods, only processed foods. "We have to take people shopping because there's no place to shop. To pick up an average client in Vinton County were going to have to average at least 20 miles round trip and it can go up as high as 60 round trip," explained director of Vinton County Senior Services to You're the Cure GRA. Many advocates worked hard to help bring new grocery stores into the state including a new $2million dollar budget that included seed capital to create a Healthy Food Financing Initiative signed by Ohio Governor John Kaisich in June 2016. The new grocery store broke ground on Monday, March ...

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11 Foods Your Mouth Will Thank You for Eating


salmon cheese yogurt

SaludToday Guest Blogger Jefferson Dental Care In the mouth of the average Latino adult, you will find eight decayed, filled or missing teeth—but you may not find enough yogurt or leafy greens. Eating vitamin-packed foods, like those, can fight cavities. Putting the right foods in your mouth also can reduce plaque, support oral health, and boost overall health (even if they can’t heal existing cavities). Here’s our guide for picking foods to give your mouth a healthy boost. Dairy 1. Cheese is supercharged with calcium and phosphorus, which supports absorption of calcium, and vitamins D and K. In a 2013 study in the Journal of General Dentistry, researchers found that consuming cheddar cheese is effective at fighting cavities by raising the pH level inside the ...

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Minnesota Counties Turn to Data to Find Equity for Minorities



Lack of support can hinder Latino health. Recently, the St. Paul Foundation – a nonprofit community foundation based in St. Paul, MN (9.53% Latino population) – conducted a survey of more than 1,500 area residents to learn about their transportation, health care, and housing statuses. According to the Pioneer Press, the Foundation received a total of 400 completed surveys from respondents in Dakota County, 480 from Washington County and 430 from St. Paul, as well as another 230 from Ramsey County. Among the findings, the area has seen a large influx of Latinos since the year 2000. In Dakota County (6.44% Latino population), as an example, the Latino population has tripled in that time frame. In terms of transportation and transportation equity, the surveys determined ...

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