Physical activity has long been touted to prevent and lessen the impact of acute and chronic illnesses, like cardiovascular disease and obesity. Studies have even found that physical activity can help destroy cancer cells. But exactly how much physical activity is needed for cancer patients to reap this benefit? Researchers at the University of Turku in Finland conducted two studies to gain clarity.
Conducting the Research on Physical Activity
The two Finland studies involved 28 recently diagnosed lymphoma and breast cancer patients between ages 20 and 69 and 37 and 73, respectively. Study methods involved taking blood samples of the patients before and after riding a bicycle for 10 minutes. “The pedaling resistance was determined individually for each patient so that ...
Latino families with children are still experiencing COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions to their childcare arrangements, according to a new data analysis from the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families (NRCHCF). Childcare disruptions are defined as the inability of any children in a household to attend a care arrangement because of closure, lack of availability or affordability, or safety concerns. From summer 2021 to summer 2022, these childcare disruptions remained prevalent among Latino households with children younger than 12, particularly those with children younger than 5, according to the NRCHCF analysis. Let’s explore these disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and how it continues to impact Latino families today.
The State ...
Play deserts are common among the Deep South and Southwest areas of the United States, according to a recent study from the University of Georgia (UGA). You may have heard of food deserts and how healthy eating options are limited or hard to access in many racial/ethnic and low-income neighborhoods. Play deserts are defined as “areas where parks and other spots to run around and play are nonexistent, hard to access or in less safe locations that make parents second-guess taking their children to play there.” The UGA study shows that play deserts cover about 7% of the US, but the rates are even higher in the Southern parts of the nation. “Even if you have the park near where you live, if the environment is not safe or it’s difficult to access, then people ...
Every year, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) highlights health inequities that impact the quality of life and health outcomes of communities. The report’s data and guidance aim to support community-led efforts to improve health equity, where everyone has a fair, just opportunity to be their healthiest. This year, CHR&R focused on two health drivers: civic infrastructure and civic participation. Let’s explore the report and see how counties compare across the nation, and how civic infrastructure and civic participation affects the health of Latinos and all people.
What is Civic Infrastructure and Civic Participation?
Civic infrastructure provides community members a place to connect. These places include libraries, civic centers, parks, and ...
Obesity can stem from genetics, food and activity, and social and environmental inequities. We also know from past research that brain structure and mental function are linked to being overweight or obese. Now a new study has identified differences in the brain’s neural pathways that help explain differences in obesity among men and women. “In women with obesity, changes in the brain tended to be centered on regions related to emotions, while in men with obesity, the changes tended to be found in regions that play a role in gut sensations, such as how hungry or full a person feels,” according to NBC News. For this study, researchers from the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center at UCLA studied brain scans – along with participants’ reports of their behavioral and mental ...
Research shows that access to nature can improve health outcomes. But walking on trails, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities aren’t equitably accessible for everyone, such as the elderly and low-income communities. A new study suggests that forest bathing can help people over 65 maximize the mental health benefits of spending time in nature – without the added challenge of physical activity. Here’s why forest bathing should become part of your spring routine!
What is Forest Bathing?
The Japanese term shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing," refers to spending time in nature while focusing on what you hear, taste, and smell. The idea is to be fully present with whatever sensations you feel. “Everybody has their own experience. The forest knows what you need,” ...
Knowing where germs live and thrive is important for infection control in healthcare. When you understand where germs live and how they can spread from place to place and make people sick, the infection control actions you take to keep them from spreading become second nature.
How Do Germs Spread?
Germs must be moved from person to person, place to place, or between places and people for them to potentially get someone sick. When you’re thinking about the risk for germs to spread in healthcare, the first step is to think through where germs live. A “reservoir” is a place where germs live and thrive. Like a habitat. Reservoirs can be in the human body – the skin, the gastrointestinal system, the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and lungs, and the ...
Did you know that our health is influenced by many non-medical factors? That’s right. The conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work, and age – known as social determinants of health (SDoH) – can greatly help or harm our health. As a result, more healthcare facilities are screening patients for SDoH through written questionnaires or verbal questions. Screenings can cover a variety of topics, such as mental and financial health and access to healthy food, transportation, and affordable medication. SDoH screening can help medical providers better understand and address patients’ social needs, which can be beneficial for vulnerable patients who face health inequities, such as Latinos. If patients screen positive for social needs, providers can connect them to ...
This is part of the "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2022 Conference Proceedings," which summarizes findings and discussions of the 2022 Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos Conference on Feb. 23-25, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas.
Conclusion
To eliminate cancer disparities in Latinx populations, Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos brought together researchers, scientists, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the US and Latin America. These presenters shared research advancements, identified gaps, developed actionable goals, updated clinical best practices, described effective community interventions, and detailed professional training programs aimed at addressing inequity. In the process, most of the speakers made ...
