We appreciate the doctors who take care of us and our familias. National Women in Medicine Day, which on Sept. 17 during Hispanic Heritage Month, aims to recognize, celebrate, and amplify the women who are making a difference across medicine and healthcare. We at Salud America! are excited to observe National Women in Medicine Day by highlighting seven of our favorite Latina physicians and health leaders!
1. Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez is an internationally recognized health researcher at UT Health San Antonio. Here, she is professor and chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She also is associate director of cancer outreach and engagement at the Mays ...
Our life experiences can shape who we are and what we strive to be in the future. This can certainly be said about Dr. Antonia Novello, the first woman and Latina to be appointed as Surgeon General in the United States. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Salud America! is celebrating Latino trailblazers, historical figures, and inspirational stories. This year we are recognizing Dr. Antonia Novello, a physician and public health administrator with a strong legacy for promoting health for all.
What Was Early Life Like for Antonia Novello?
Antonia Novello was born Antonia Coello in 1944 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As the eldest of 3 siblings, Novello experienced health challenges early in her life. “As a child, Novello ...
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! One of the best ways to honor Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year is by honoring yourself – including maintaining your brain health. Follow these nine ways to support brain health for Hispanic Heritage Month.
1. Familiarize Yourself with Cognitive Decline Risk Factors
Several lifestyle and health factors can impact your risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these risk factors so you can make the changes needed to improve your brain health. Here’s how you can lower your risk for cognitive decline: Maintain a healthy body weight Protect your head from traumatic brain injuries by wearing protective gear Support a more ...
Latinos are a dynamic, rising population. But who makes up this population? How big it it, where is it, and what is it like? For Hispanic Heritage Month, let's explore some important facts and figures about the population that is often referred to as Latino or Hispanic.
1. The U.S. Latino Population Is Large
Latinos rose rising to 20% of the U.S. population for the first time this past year, according to the U.S. Census. U.S. Latinos grew from 65 million in 2023 to 68 million in 2024, “The U.S. Latino population has almost doubling in size since 2000, according to Pew Research Center.
2. The U.S. Latino Population Is Mostly of Mexican Origin
Among Latino, people of Mexican origin are the largest single group represented in the U.S. at 57% (40 million) in 2024, according ...
Whether it’s in hospitals and clinics, out in the community, or online, there are many Salud Heroes who have helped improve health for all the people in their communities. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Salud America! recognizes figures both throughout history and today who serve as health role models. Let’s look at 10 Salud Heroes who have championed Latino health.
1. Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa
Dr. José Celso Barbosa Alcalá, also known as José Celso Barbosa, was the first Afro-Latino to obtain a medical degree in the United States. Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Barbosa valued education. He graduated in 1880 from the University of Michigan Medical School as the valedictorian of his class, becoming the first Puerto Rican to earn a medical degree in the continental ...
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are pulling back the curtain on the highs and lows of navigating the breast cancer experience with a special Instagram Live event. Dr. Amelie Ramirez, the director of UT Health San Antonio’s Institute for Health Promotion Research and leader of Salud America!, is leading a discussion between Susan G. Komen patient navigator Marcela Orozco and Deborah Blake-Ontiveros, a two-time breast cancer survivor and Latina patient advocate. In partnership with Susan G. Komen, “Navigating the Trials & Triumphs of Breast Cancer,” covers topics such as the importance of patient navigation, clinical trials, advocacy, and finding bilingual resources. Watch on Instagram on the Salud ...
Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S. with about 45,000 new diagnoses projected for 2026, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It’s also one of the more treatable cancers. Despite that, women, especially Latinas, face a higher burden of thyroid cancer. September is National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, so we are bringing attention to nine things you should know about thyroid cancer.
1. Thyroid Cancer Develops in the Thyroid Gland
Thyroid cancer forms in the thyroid gland, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, is responsible for making hormones that regulate energy use in the body, including body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. One ...
The human reproductive system is an intricate network of structures, tubes, and organs that are responsible for giving life. But sometimes, it can also be a source of pain, discomfort, and disease. This includes gynecological and reproductive cancers, such as cervical cancer. Due to background-based stigmas, incorrect information, lack of access to reproductive care, and few women doctors, these cancer diagnoses can be difficult to accept and even harder to catch. For National Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, we are breaking down the top eight things to know about reproductive cancers.
1. There Are 5 Major Gynecological and Reproductive Cancers
Gynecological cancers consist of 5 major cancer types. Cervical cancer. This is ...
Hispanic Heritage Month is here! This annual U.S. observance, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. We at Salud America! invite you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in these 31 awesome ways.
1. Learn How Hispanic Heritage Month Began
U.S. Congressmen Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and Henry B. Gonzales were among those who introduced legislation on the topic in 1968. President Lyndon Johnson implemented the observance as Hispanic Heritage Week that year. Did you know which U.S. President turned it from Hispanic Heritage Week to Hispanic Heritage Month? Learn more here.
2. Find Out Why Hispanic Heritage Month Starts on Sept. 15
Sept. ...
