Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, was named to Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board. Komen's 10-member Scientific Advisory Board provides strategic guidance and direction for its research and scientific programs. It also plays a key role in guiding and prioritizing Komen’s global research investment and serves as the executive committee of the Komen Scholars. Dr. Ramirez's appointment is effective April 1, 2025. “I am honored to serve on Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board. I look forward to being a part of Komen’s extensive activities to address breast cancer and the non-medical drivers of health among people of all backgrounds," Ramirez said.
Dr. Ramirez & Her Health ...
Cancer is a big concern for firefighters in San Antonio. Firefighting is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of death among firefighters. Studies have shown that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population. Within the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), more than 70 firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years, including leukemia to multiple myeloma and cancers of the brain, thyroid, colon, prostate, and testicles. Many cases also go unreported. To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health ...
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, joined Coastal Living TV in Corpus Christi, Texas, to share how cancer survivors can join the Avanzando Caminos study. Avanzando Caminos is a study that aims to help cancer survivors. The study aims to enroll 1,500 Latino cancer survivors in South Texas and 1,500 more in Miami to help unpack the behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on life after cancer. As part of the study, volunteers share their cancer journeys. "So far, the individuals who've participated have been really grateful. They said, 'I've never had a chance to tell my story about what I went through,'" Ramirez said. "It will help us take a deeper look into how we can help our ...
The National Eye Institute (NEI) is framing the way for future success in a career in health and science for teens by holding its annual Eye on the Future campaign. Just like 2023 and 2024, the Eye on the Future campaign kicks off with a $2,000 teen video contest. “We created the [contest] because we want to hear from the next generation of scientists (that’s you!) about why science is so important,” according to the NEI website. “And we want to encourage high school students from all backgrounds to learn more about science.” The contest is open until April 20, 2025.
How to Enter the Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest
Interested students in grades 9-12 can enter NEI’s Eye on the Future contest by submitting a 30-second-to-3-minute video showcasing one of three ...
The American Cancer Society estimates over 2 million new cancer cases and 600,000 cancer deaths among Latinos and all people in the US in 2025, according to a new report. This makes cancer one of the most prevalent, deadly health issues facing our nation. To respond to the health crisis of cancer in South Texas, the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio is hosting its annual Give Cancer the Boot Survivorship 5K and 1-Mile Walk in celebration of cancer survivors, patients, and their families on April 5, 2025. REGISTER NOW!
Give Cancer the Boot
Not only does the event raise awareness about the impact of cancer on the community, but it also goes to support the Mays Cancer Center’s Patient and Family Assistance Fund. The Patient and Family Assistance Fund ...
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 ...
Primary care practices that employ nurse practitioners (NPs) are more likely to serve low-income communities than practices with no NPs on staff, according to researchers from the Columbia University School of Nursing. Dr. Monica O’Reilly-Jacob, assistant professor and study leader, along with her colleagues looked at 79,743 primary care practices across the United States. Of these practices, 53.4% employed NPs in 2023, a large jump from 21% in 2012. Let’s go beyond the surface of these results and explore how it impacts others.
The Importance of Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that as of May 2023, 280,140 organizations employed nurse practitioners (NPs) nationally. According to the researchers, practices with NPs were more likely ...
Cancer continues to be a top cause of death of all people, only second to heart disease. This makes the need for cancer interventions is vital in places like San Antonio, Texas (64.4% Latino; US Census). That’s one of the reasons that UT Health San Antonio is one of two study sites for the Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship Research Study — a one-of-a-kind study that aims to unpack the behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on post-cancer life. Since 2021, the study team has diligently been collecting the stories of hundreds of cancer survivors in the South Texas area in hopes of identifying ways to help improve cancer outcomes. But there’s still more work to be done. The Avanzando Caminos study is looking to enroll 1,500 ...
1 in 7 American adults are impacted by kidney disease. The month of March is recognized as National Kidney Month and serves as a way to not only bring awareness to health issues like kidney disease and encouraging others to take charge of their health. “Kidney disease is known as a silent killer due to the fact that as many as 9 in 10 people living with the condition are unaware that they have it and do not have symptoms until the later stages,” according to the American Kidney Fund. Let’s dig deeper into this topic and how you can spread awareness during National Kidney Month!
1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK)
During National Kidney Month, the NIDDK has provided several resources, including a list of healthy lifestyle habits to ...
