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A Second Opinion: The Story of Anna López



SaludToday Guest Blogger Dr. Michel Choueiri of CancerDocs.org I am going to tell you the story of Anna López and why it is important to always ask two doctors before making a major decision. Anna arrived to Los Angeles in 2014 from Guatemala. She turned 49 last June. She was taking a shower one morning when she noticed a mass on her breast. She did not know what to do and went to the first doctor who her cousin knew. After a pleasant consultation, she was advised that she would need to have surgery to remove all her breast. Sad, Anna went home, cried with her husband that night. She could not speak English and did not know many people in LA to ask for help. She agreed to the surgery and the operation was scheduled for the following week. Luckily, her friend who works at UCLA had ...

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Making “Smarter Lunchrooms” to Encourage Healthy Eating



In working on reducing food waste since new rules went into effect in 2012, School Lunch Advisory Councils (SLACs) are now asking students to help other students eat healthier. SLACS, which are composed of a food service director, an educator, and two or three students, are using behavioral economics like encouraging students to nudge or encourage other students to consume more fruits and vegetables at lunch. Montana food directors told The Washington Free Beacon that once the cafeteria put up creative signage like the student's life-sized version of their coach promoting apples and moved their salad bar, lunch waste decreased by 35 percent. “Smarter Lunchrooms uses the basic principles of behavioral economics (the influencing factors behind people’s choices and behaviors) ...

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The Sad Reasons Latino Kids Delay Dentist Visits Until Age 16


latino boy at the dentist for dental work

SaludToday Guest Blogger Jefferson Dental Clinics Most kids have their first dental visit by age 7. For Latinos, it's age 16. Why the big delay? About half of Latino families lack dental insurance. Latinos tend to not prioritize dental health, or they face barriers like high cost, lack of oral health knowledge, and lack of bilingual, dentists, surveys show. The result is Latino kids with twice as much untreated tooth decay and less preventative care than their peers. “Unfortunately this disparity is something that carries throughout life, since dental care starts at an early age and impacts the development of the teeth and gums,” says Dr. Leslie Townsend of Jefferson Dental Clinics. Negligence of dental care isn't just a "teeth" problem, either. It causes ...

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Latinos May Be Eligible for ACA Tax Credits



Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed into law in 2010, millions of Americans have gained coverage or found more affordable options thanks to the tax credit. New information released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shows that 2.5 million Americans may now qualify for these tax credits if they shop for 2017 coverage through the Marketplace. “More than 9 million Americans already receive financial assistance through the Health Insurance Marketplace to help keep coverage affordable, but today’s data show millions more Americans could benefit,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell in a news release. “We encourage everyone to check out their options on HealthCare.gov or their state Marketplace and see if they qualify for financial assistance. ...

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How Stress Can Hurt Healthy Eating Efforts



Can stress negate the benefits of a healthy diet? Our lifestyle can influence our health and the power of stress can hurt change our bodies in a myriad of ways. According to recent research, stress can ultra metabolism, making the body become inflamed no matter if you are eating healthy foods or unhealthy foods. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, researcher, and director of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at the Ohio State University told NPR  the more healthful meal was no better in terms of its impact on inflammation. The stress that was causing the inflammation in the bodies of the women studied was not life-threatening, but more about feeling in control. Inflammation in the body over long periods of time are linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, some ...

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Celebrate National Farm to School Month!



Get ready to get excited about healthy school food by celebrating national farm-to-school month! Every October farmers, families, students, educators and food enthusiasts of all ages celebrate healthy school food and raise awareness about improving child nutrition for all kids in all schools through farm-to-school programs. Our farm-to-school Salud Heroes have helped schools incorporate healthy foods in cafeterias, increase student awareness of healthy foods, grow school gardens and more! How can you get involved? Take the pledge, read inspiring stories, explore resources, or help spread the word! Learn more here! Also, follow #farmtoschool or #f2SMonth on social media to join the ...

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Owatonna Public Schools Celebrate Farm-to-School Month with Healthy Lunch Options



Owatonna Public Schools in Steele County Minnesota (7.5% Latino) are celebrating National Farm to School month this October by continuing to implement healthy changes in school lunches. Since 2014 the district has been working with local vendors as much as possible, after receiving $100,000 in grants from Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Minnesota and the US Department of Agriculture the school district has incorporated more fresh turkey meat, and fruits and vegetables from local farmers. Food hubs have also helped bring the school to work with local food vendors who deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to the hubs and then are delivered to the schools. Even options like pizza or hamburgers only available in the High Schools are made with local dough, low-fat cheese, meats without fillers, ...

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Study: Breast Cancer Can Be More Fatal to Certain Latinas


Latina church praying

For Latinas of Mexican or Puerto Rican decent, breast cancer is more likely to be fatal than for other U.S. Latinas, according to a new study from the Avon Foundation for Women, USA Today reports. The research is the first of its kind on Latino subgroups. It showed that breast cancer mortality rates differed for Cubans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Central and South American women with breast cancer in the United States. The findings have implications for how Latinas receive care and treatment. “A critical first step to improving breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and care for Hispanic women is understanding where the greatest needs are,” said Cheryl Heinonen, Avon Foundation president to USA Today. “The more we know, the better we will be at improving care, quality of life and ...

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All Income Groups Experienced Drops in Uninsured Rates



The rate of uninsured individuals has steadily decreased since the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). From 2010-2015, research from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that coverage gains have been shared widely across groups of all races, ages, and income levels. The overall uninsured rate for Americans in all income groups fell by 40%. “Regardless of your income, age, geography, or race, everyone is gaining access to coverage or better coverage under the Affordable Care Act,” said Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell in a statement. “Going into the fourth Open Enrollment, Americans have experienced historic coverage gains.” In order to reduce health disparities, it is critical to address inequities in programs, practices, and policies. Join our site, ...

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