Study: Minority Patients Mostly Treated by Non-White Doctors



Doctors who are black, Hispanic and Asian provide the most care to minority patients, according to a study that suggests changes under Obamacare may increase the burden for these physicians, Bloomberg reports. According to the report: More than half of minority patients and about 70 percent of non-English-speaking patients, groups more likely to have Medicaid or be uninsured, are cared for by a nonwhite doctor, according to a research letter today in JAMA Internal Medicine. President Barack Obama’s 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the biggest overhaul of the U.S. health-care system since the 1960s, is expected to insure millions of Americans who previously couldn’t afford health coverage. Though blacks and Hispanics represent 25 percent of the U.S. population, ...

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Latinos Urged to Get Flu Vaccine



Latino are less likely to receive the flu vaccine than other ethnic groups, a fact influenced by limited access to medical care, experts say, Saludify reports. That's why, for National Influenza Vaccination Week Dec. 8-14, 2013, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) is inviting Latinos ages 6 months and older to get vaccinated against the influenza. Vaccination is the first and most important step to protect against flu, the CDC said. The vaccine reduces one’s risk of illness, hospitalization, or even death and can prevent the spread of the virus to loved ones. Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, retail stores and pharmacies, and health centers, as well as by many employers and schools. Go ...

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Rankings: U.S. Obesity Levels Off; Hawaii, Vermont among Healthiest States



U.S. Obesity leveled off since last year, the first time since 1998 that obesity rates have not worsened, according to the new United Health Foundation’s 2013 America’s Health Rankings, an annual comprehensive assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by state basis. Here are the key nationwide health trends from last year to this year: Smoking rates dropped from 21.2% of the adult population to 19.6%. Physical inactivity dropped from 26.2% of the adult population to 22.9%. Obesity remained about the same, about 27% of the adult population. At the state level, Hawaii has taken the title of healthiest state. The state scored well along most measures particularly for having low rates of uninsured individuals, high rates of childhood immunization, and low rates of ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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Latina Researcher Wins ‘Health Promotion’ Award



Deborah Parra-Medina, Ph.D., a professor at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, was given the prestigious Mayhew Derryberry Award from the Public Health Education and Health Promotion section of the American Public Health Association (APHA). The award, given annually, recognizes outstanding contribution of behavioral scientists to the field of health education, health promotion and/or health communications research or theory. Parra-Medina has more than two decades of research and interventions in chronic disease prevention with underserved groups, including women, Hispanics, immigrants, youth and financially disadvantaged populations in diverse geographic and community settings. She will be recognized at a lunch ...

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Latino Health in Focus: Cancer, Obesity and More



Find the latest advances in Latino health—from cancer survivorship 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: Studies: Three Survivors Find Hermandad (Pg 1) Profile: From Sundae Sunday to Public Health...The Story of the IHPR's Shannon Baldwin (Pg 2) Story: Research Highlights Ways to Prevent Latino Childhood Obesity (Pg 3) Story: Employees Take Healthy Eating, Exercise Challenges (Pg 4) Story and Video: San Antonio Reports Significant Drop in Obesity Rates (Pg 6) Story: Latino Teens Have Low Vaccine Rates (Pg 7) Story: Hispanic High School Grads Pass Whites in Rate ...

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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 ...

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What Are Health Disparities?



Health disparities are differences in incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific U.S. population groups. Latinos, for example, suffer various disparities in cancer, chronic disease, obesity and other conditions. To learn more, visit the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, the team behind SaludToday. You also can check out the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Disparities & Inequalities Report. The report analyzes recent trends and ongoing variations in health disparities and ...

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