Smoking cigarettes is the top cause of preventable death in the United States. The good news is that help is out there—just ask Katherine Saucedo. Saucedo, a San Antonio resident, got help quitting smoking from the no-cost Quitxt bilingual text-message service from UT Health San Antonio. Quitxt, created by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez and Dr. Patricia Chalela at UT Health SanAntonio with the support of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, sends texts messages to help South Texas adults quit smoking. Messages help with motivation to quit, setting a quit date, handling stress, using nicotine replacement (if needed), and more. Saucedo has been smoke-free for the past three months using Quitxt. “Huge improvements, just better lung capacity. I don't feel short of ...
Year after year, scorching temperatures rock countries across the globe. With the last few summers some of the hottest on record, weather and health experts alike are warning people about the dangers of prolonged exposure to heat. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are advising individuals, organizations, and companies on how to navigate the heat waves. The latest guidance and report issued by the organizations focuses on the health and safety of manual laborers, particularly outdoor workers, who are exposed to heat conditions. “Heat stress is already harming the health and livelihoods of billions of workers,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care. ...
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed a law that mandates the first-ever warning labels on foods like chips and candies that contain dyes and additives not allowed in other countries. “The law mandates disclosures for more than 40 ingredients, including food dyes and additives commonly used in food processing to help with texture, taste or shelf life,” according to AP News. Let’s dig deeper into what this law means and how it impacts families and communities.
What Does This Law Entail?
The newly signed law will require foods made with any of more than 40 dyes or additives to have warning labels starting Jan. 1, 2027. The labels will include verbiage saying the products’ contain ingredients “not recommended for human consumption” in Australia, Canada, Europe, or ...
Moving Matters! Did you know that physical activity directly impacts your health? The more work you put into your body, the more you reap the long- and short-term health benefits of exercise. That’s true at any age, but especially in older adults, who experience higher risk for diseases such as heart disease and cancer. One of the most serious diseases many older individuals face is dementia and Alzheimer's, which affects nearly 1 out of every 9 seniors in the US as of 2023, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. But with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, symptoms have been known to ease and those who haven’t been diagnosed with the disease show a reduced risk for developing it. In fact, a new study published by the Journal ...
Obesity is a critical risk factor for diabetes and cancer. We shared the latest in obesity prevention and management at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “Tipping the Scales Toward Health,” at 11 a.m. Central on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The webinar featured experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, the Metropolitan Health District of the City of San Antonio, and Genentech to explore the issue of obesity and related chronic health conditions like diabetes and related cancers that are impacting South Texas. Panelists discussed strategies for obesity management, diabetes management, and promoting a healthy weight. They will also addressed the non-medical drivers of health and share available resources and support for healthy lifestyles and the prevention ...
March is recognized as National Nutrition Month.® During this time, folks can prioritize better nutrition and take advantage of many resources that can help improve the health and nutrition of all families. Let’s dive deeper into resources that can be helpful to you and your families in achieving the best nutrition possible.
1. ‘Food Connects Us’ from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics created National Nutrition Month® in 1973. With this year’s theme of “Food Connects Us,” the Academy’s annual campaign encourages people to make informed food choices and develop strong eating and physical activity habits. “Health, memories, traditions, seasons and access can all impact our relationship with food. While these factors ...
The Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS) at UT Health San Antonio is announcing its 15th Annual Frontiers of Translational Science Research Day on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. In celebration, the institute is calling for abstracts for posters from researchers that demonstrate the power of translational science, which is the process of using research to develop interventions. Translational science aims to improve health and improve disease outcomes. These abstracts can either highlight translational research that has already been completed or ongoing research projects. Selected projects will be invited to be part of a poster session on the day of the event. APPLY HERE!
Participant Guidelines for Translational Science Research
The deadline ...
From what you put into your body to what you do with it, just about anything can impact your health when you’re pregnant. It can also impact the health of the unborn child. That’s why it’s important to take the steps necessary to ensure the health and safety of both the expectant mother and baby. The best way to start is to ensure you get the recommended amount of physical activity each week. The truth is that Moving Matters! Let’s review the physical activity guidelines for pregnant and postpartum women and learn about the benefits of movement before and after pregnancy.
Physical Activity Recommendations
Like anyone at any stage of life, physical activity is vital to maintaining good health leading to a better quality of life. For pregnant ...
Obesity Care Week 2025 (#ObesityCareWeek) is here! From March 3-7, 2025, Obesity Care Week is an annual public awareness effort to end weight stigma. It promotes education for a better world for people living with obesity. Also, World Obesity Day is March 4, 2025. Our Salud America! health team is happy to serve as an Obesity Care Week Champion to help raise awareness. "We need to continue to address the state of obesity care among Latinos and all people," said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. Salud America! research has found that many people face health issues due to the non-medical drivers of health, from poverty and support to affordable housing and transit. This contributes to ...
