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Webinar: How to Make Your Voice Heard in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment



Sadly, breast cancer impacts our Latina community. Latinas are more likely than White women to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive type, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Join us for “Making Your Voice Heard in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment,” our 30-minute webinar that is available on-demand starting on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Hear the latest TNBC treatments and how Latinas deal with the difficult cancer journey. A doctor who specializes in treating breast cancer, a nurse practitioner, and a patient with breast cancer will explain how to manage side effects, connect with others in the breast-cancer community, and be your own best advocate. Webinar speakers include: Claudia Tellez, MD, Clinical ...

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EPA Draws Line Against PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water



The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking another step forward in its campaign against “forever chemicals,” also known as perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced its final ruling on the first-ever PFAS drinking water standard in the country. The EPA ruled in favor of the legally enforceable standard that limits PFAS, which has been linked to adverse health effects such as impacts to fetal growth and increased cancer risk, in drinking water. The final ruling on the matter comes nearly a year after closing public comment on the issue, which garnered 121,969 comments — 832 of them from Salud America! members who submitted a model comment in support of the regulation. Read all comments. PFAS Drinking Water ...

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Explore Resources for National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month



The White House recently issued a presidential proclamation declaring April as National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month. “During National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, we honor the enormous courage and strength of the millions of Americans facing the disease today and of the many millions of survivors, whose resilience inspires us all,” said President Joe Biden. This observance was led by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, along with the support of 84 additional organizations, to raise awareness and reduce the impact of cancer on individuals, families, and communities. “We hope it serves an important reminder to the public that they have the power to take charge of their health with lifestyle changes and routine screenings, because early detection ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 5/14/24─Why Is Brain Health So Important?



Brain health is important – but we often overlook it. The World Health Organization defines brain health as the “state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioural and motor domains, allowing a person to realize their full potential over the life course.” While we can take action to maintain our brain health and mental health, conditions such as brain tumors and dementia can affect the brain and disrupt our lives. As part of Brain Cancer Awareness Month in May, let’s use #SaludTues on May 14, 2024, to explore how to maintain brain health and find out what we should know about brain tumors, dementia, and mental health, especially among the Latino population. WHERE: Twitter WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat “Why Is Brain Health So ...

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New Federal Racial, Ethnic Categories Reflect Latino Diversity



For over 25 years, Americans have been asked to categorize themselves as one of five races standardized by the federal government.   However, the United States is one of the most culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse countries in the world.   For instance, those who identify as Hispanic or Latino or Latinx are comprised of many different nations, cultures, dialects, and races, making it nearly impossible to capture an accurate picture of Latinos in a single check box.  The narrow selection of choices doesn’t reflect this diversity, limiting our understanding of race and ethnicity, especially when it comes to socioeconomic and health data.   To ensure that collected data accurately reflects the people who live in the US, the White House Office of Management and ...

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Updated Federal Guidance on Traffic Crash Reporting – A Missed Opportunity to Improve Safety


Updated Federal Guidance on Traffic Crash Reporting – A Missed Opportunity to Improve Safety MMUCC

In December 2023, the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the sixth edition of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). The MMUCC is a voluntary guideline of standardized data for state and local agencies to collect on motor vehicle crashes. This can help compare crash trends across and between states and guide the design and assessment safety countermeasures and their effectiveness. Earlier in 2023, NHTSA had sought public comment on their revisions to the fifth edition of the MMUCC. Roughly 500 comments were submitted, most by Salud America! members. Unfortunately, it is unclear how NHTSA considered the solicited comments. Because the MMUCC is a voluntary guideline rather than a rule, NHTSA is not required to publish a summary of comments ...

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907 Told EPA to Add PFAS to List of Hazardous Chemicals 


PFAS toxin clean water epa regulation scientists water

From what you wear and sit on to the ingredients found in products you use to clean your home; chemicals are all around us.  For example, a range of “forever chemicals” – known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – are found in many industrial and consumer products, such as paints, fire-fighting foam, metal plating, and cleaning agents.  PFAS have been linked to major health problems in humans and animals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  That’s why the EPA is proposing to add several PFAS chemicals to its hazardous waste management list under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulations, in an effort to protect “communities and drinking water supplies” near hazardous waste facilities.  Before any action is ...

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FDA’s Big Plan to Enhance Public Health in 2025



The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its request for $7.2 billion as part of President Joe Biden’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 proposed budget. FDA’s request, which is about 7% higher than last year, covers the agency’s top health priorities. “This funding will allow the agency to enhance food safety and nutrition, advance medical product safety, help support supply chain resiliency, strengthen the agency’s public-health and mission-support capacity, and modernize the FDA’s infrastructure and facilities,” according to an FDA News Release. Let’s dive into what these requests entail and how it can impact Latinos. Enhancing Food Safety and Nutrition FDA is requesting $15 million to protect and promote a safe, nutritious U.S. food supply through the ...

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As Social Need Screening Advances, Transportation Remains an Afterthought


As Social Need Screening Advances, Transportation Remains an Afterthought

Some big changes in 2022 and 2023 have set up the healthcare sector to advance screening for non-medical social needs in 2024 and beyond. This is great news as we work to address social determinants of health (SDoH), improve health outcomes, and reduce health disparities. But one key social need – transportation – isn’t getting the attention it deserves. Transportation is a foundational social need and often co-occurs with other needs and/or acts as a barrier to resolving other needs. Yet transportation is often poorly conceptualized, thus is poorly operationalized in social need screening tools and related justifications. In this post, we review the following big changes as they relate to transportation as a SDOH: Big Change 1: In 2022, the Centers for Medicare ...

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