By Amanda Merck, Salud America! Many studies show that breastfeeding can positively impact a child’s physical and mental development and even reduce the risk of childhood obesity. Unfortunately, many Latina mothers barriers in access to breastfeeding support: participation in federal food assistance programs that offer free infant formula, pain/discomfort, embarrassment, employment, inconvenience, lack of maternal access to breastfeeding information, not being properly instructed on how to breastfeed by hospital staff, and other cultural, social, economic, political, and psychosocial factors. Breastfeeding mothers need to feel safe, supported and welcome to nurse or pump in all public spaces in order to meet their own personal breastfeeding goals. Let’s use #SaludTues on ...
President Barack Obama recently reviewed one of the signature pieces of his administration in an article contributed to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Writing as “Barack Obama, J.D.,” the President reflected on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its six years of implementation. The President gave praise to the healthcare overhaul and pointed out how the ACA has sharply reduced the number of uninsured in the United States while improving coverage for those who already had it. The current enrollment numbers, as of February 2016, are 12.7 million enrolled through the marketplace, and nearly 20 million total between the ACA between the Marketplace, Medicaid expansion, young adults staying on their parents plan, and other coverage provisions. “The Affordable Care ...
Because walking has numerous health benefits, it shouldn't be so complicated to figure out where kids and families can walk safely and be physically active in nature. The following infographics (English and Spanish) from the National Recreation and Parks Association, EverybodyWalk, National Environmental Education Foundation, Active Living Research,and the Surgeon General demonstrate how powerful nature walks are to transform your health and why everyone deserves safe access to parks and places to walk. National Recreation and Parks Association - Safe Routes to Parks
National Recreation and Parks Association - The Power of Parks
EverybodyWalk - Anatomy of Walking
EverybodyWalk - Health Benefits of Walking Health Benefits of Walking in Spanish National ...
Latinos don't visit national parks as often as whites. Why? Cost, lack of transportation, lack of facilities like benches and tables to accommodate large groups or families, lack of shade, lack of diversity among Park Service employees, lack of information about events and activities, and poor marketing in Latino communities have been cited in the past. What can we do? In December, 2015, Saguaro National Park, near Tuscon, Arizona (41.6% Latino), hired an outreach coordinator, Cam Juarez, to figure out how to solve this disconnect and get more Latinos into one of our nation's greatest accomplishments and most valuable resources-national parks. Saguaro National Park also partnered with the local nonprofit group, Friends of Saguaro National Park, to hire a diverse group of ...
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in Latina women, especially those who are BRCA1 positive, but according to researchers a drug commonly used to treat osteoporosis may prevent breast cancer, CNN reports According to results from a study published in the journal Nature Medicine, the drug, denosumab, “can stop certain breast tissue cells with the mutation from morphing into cancerous tumors.” "If this is an effective prevention strategy, then our hope is that it will be possible to prevent or delay breast cancer in women with a BRCA1 mutation and possibly other women at high genetic risk," said Jane Visvader a co-author of the study. "It would be great if this strategy could 'buy time' for women considering having ...
Two years ago San Francisco, Calif. tried to put a two-cents-per-ounce tax on sugary beverages, the proposal failed at 54.4% of the vote falling short, now trying again the proposal looks at a penny per ounce tax with proceeds going towards health programs. The proposal for the new tax was set to be placed on the ballot last month, but signatures were turned into late, according to a recent article. A warning label law on the health risks associated with consumption of soda is still being considered in San Francisco as well. Advocates of these new efforts towards soda tax laws reveal the evidence to their communities and council members of the high amounts of sugar in many soda or sweet drinks, which have no nutritional value, are the leading causes of diabetes and obesity among ...
Nation Park Trust (NPT)-a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and protection of our nation's critical parks and public lands and the engagement of our youth, especially those who are under-served with nature-is hosting their 6th annual 'Kids to Parks Day' on Saturday, May 21, 2016. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution in support of Kids to Parks Day introduced by Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii. NPT is working with numerous cities and towns included those affiliated with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Cities and Towns program, which is designed to encourage mayors and elected officials to adopt policies and ...
Soda tax considerations in cities are growing in interest across the nation and in other countries around the world. Watsonville, a majority Latino community (81.9% Latino), is working on their own proposals in California, hoping to encourage other small town minority-majority cities, that if they can pass taxes on sugary drinks, any small-town city has a chance. Groups and organizations in the city are all working together to rally voters and get petitions signed that would propose a 2-cent-per-ounce sugary beverage tax. Christian Garcia, one of the organizers, gathered over 2,000 signatures from voters who were "very receptive" for the taxes, Garcia explained in a local video, stating how groups went door-to-door to collect signatures from around the city. Garcia and his ...
A new coalition has joined together as the Healthy Boulder Kids, aimed to help advocate healthier changes for kids in the state to have equal access to healthy foods and opportunities for activity. The group also is aiming to help prevent childhood health risks like diabetes and obesity and is submitting language for an excise tax on distributors of 2 cents per ounce on sugary drinks that contain at least 5 grams of sugar, high-fructose corn syrup or other added sweeteners per 12 fluid ounces. The measure would provide funding for programs that give greater access and opportunity for healthy foods and exercise for families and children living in Boulder. It would also not tax 100 percent fruit juice, vegetable juices (with no added sweeteners), milk products, liquid medicines, ...
