U.S. Latinos continue to suffer a disproportionate share of COVID-19 cases. This not only interrupts important parts of our daily lives, but also put people at risk of serious illness and death. Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your familia against the worst outcomes of COVID-19. But who should get the vaccine? Are they free? Where? Let’s explore how “You’re Covered” against COVID-19!
Are COVID-19 Vaccines Free?
Yes. COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available to everyone in the United States free of cost, according to the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project. Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio is partner in the project’s “You’re Covered” campaign. “You may have ...
Access to practical and valuable infection control training is crucial for all healthcare workers. That’s why CDC’s Project Firstline developed Infection Control Micro-Learns – a series of guided infection control discussions that can be easily incorporated into team meetings or huddles facilitated by an experienced team member with infection control expertise. These short and easy-to-understand learning opportunities can help healthcare workers recognize and minimize infection control risks to protect themselves, coworkers, and patients from infectious diseases. Let’s explore the Infection Control Micro-Learn on Draining Wounds.
What Should You Do When You See a Patient with a Draining Wound?
A draining wound is a break in the skin or other tissue that has liquid ...
Did you know 12.1% of men are in fair or poor health? Similarly, the average life expectancy of men in the United States is almost 5 years less than women (76.2 compared to 81). November is National Men’s Health Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of men’s physical and mental health while encouraging support for men facing prostate, testicular, and other cancers. In November (and beyond), here are some ways you can support men’s health!
Latino Men’s Health
Latino men face many health disparities when it comes to physical and mental health. For example, while national suicide rates decreased, the rates went up 6% for Latino men, according to a 2022 article from Texas Public Radio. Machismo and other forms of stigma can play a large part ...
When the holidays season is in full swing, families and friends gather to enjoy time together over warms meals and plenty of dessert. But sometimes food spoils the party. Every year, foodborne diseases sicken 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people), hospitalize 128,000 people, and kill 3,000 people, according to the CDC. Let’s tackle how we can prepare food safely and keep the holidays healthy.
What Is Food Poisoning?
You can get sick with food poisoning after swallowing certain germs like salmonella. Common symptoms include: Diarrhea
Stomach pain or cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever “Most people have mild illnesses [from food poisoning], but some infections spread by food are serious or even life-threatening. Some people may need ...
The winter holidays are nearing, which means a drop in temperatures and a rise in flu! The CDC estimates that the flu caused up to 41 million illnesses, up to 710,000 hospitalizations, and up to 52,000 deaths every year between 2010 and 2020. How does flu season impact Latinos? What preventive steps can you and your family take?
Latinos and Flu Rates
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs, according to the CDC. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. A 2021 study found that flu-associated hospitalization, ICU admission, and in-hospital death were prominent among ethnic minority groups, including Latinos. The study also found that disparities ...
Healthcare workers, looking for your next informative – and entertaining – infection control resource?! Look no further, the Washington State Department of Health’s Project Firstline Podcast covers a variety of infection control topics, from healthcare-associated infections to multi-drug-resistant organisms. The podcast is part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Project Firstline, which provides all healthcare workers the infection control training and resources they need to protect themselves, their patients, and their coworkers from infectious diseases. With 17 episodes to choose from, you’ll be sure to learn something new. Let’s dive in!
A Glimpse at the Episodes
Dating back to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening episodes ...
November is National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM)! NFCM is an opportunity to recognize family caregivers across the country and “raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers,” according to the Administration for Community Living. This year, Mental Health America has shared new resources for both caregivers and employers. “We know caregivers need support in balancing their personal and professional obligations, and employers need resources to better support their caregivers on staff,” according to Mental Health America. Let’s dive deeper into these educational tools and find out how they can benefit Latino caregivers.
Latinos and Caregiving
41.8 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult ...
Clinical trials have led to the development of better treatments, life-saving medicines, and new prevention strategies for cancer and other diseases. Still, clinical trials have lacked volunteers who are Latino. We need diverse representation in clinical trials to ensure health and medical discoveries are equitable for diverse populations. To promote clinical trials, let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, to discuss reasons why Latinos and all people should consider joining a clinical trial! WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: Why Should You Try a Clinical Trial?
TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023
WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues
HOST: @SaludAmerica
CO-HOSTS: Latinx Voces LLC (@latinxvocesllc); LatinaStrong Foundation ...
News of a cancer diagnosis is the last thing anyone wants to hear. It can be especially devastating for a teenager with no family history of cancer. That was reality for Amber Lopez. Lopez, a San Antonio resident who began experiencing symptoms around age 14, was eventually diagnosed with cervical cancer a few years later at 18. “When you hear that word cancer, you’re kind of like, 'Oh, my God. OK. So, does that mean like, I’m going to pass away? How does this work?'” Lopez said. Since her diagnosis, Lopez has overcome many challenges in her cancer journey. Now she’s sharing her story through the Avanzando Caminos study at UT Health San Antonio to give hope to other Latino cancer survivors.
Navigating Her Cancer Diagnosis
Latinas ...
