Since coming to the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, research scientist Dr. Derek Rodriguez has gotten to live his dream. From a young age, Derek had dreams of becoming a doctor and attending medical school. That dream took a turn when his health did. At 8 years old, he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. Derek’s experience inspired him to pursue cancer research and ultimately led him to a position with the university, where he serves as program manager for the Avanzando Caminos study, which aims to improve the Latino cancer survivorship journey. “I am now serving my community as well as those that are cancer survivors, so it’s pretty much a full circle moment,” he told Salud ...
Ya fuera con pintura sobre lienzo o con una charla amistosa en persona, la artista de San Antonio, Mary Louise Lopez, siempre transmitía amor y mostraba la belleza del espíritu humano. Mary Louise fue una artista de talento en dibujo, pintura, escultura y batik. Los temas de muchas de sus pinturas fueron las comunidades nativas de Texas, México, Centroamérica y Sudamérica, lugares a los que viajaba con frecuencia y donde iniciaba fácilmente amistad con muchas personas locales. Mary Louise, quien falleció en noviembre de 2022, de cáncer de páncreas, retrató el orgullo y la fortaleza de los latinos nativos con gran cariño y cuidado, dijo Irene Peche, una amiga cercana de la familia. “Ella buscaba capturar su dignidad y la ética de trabajo con la que vivían. Hay ...
Despite cancer deaths declining, cancer continues to be a top cause of death among Latinos and all people in the US. One of the most prevalent forms of cancer is breast cancer. Every year, 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these women are Latina. What’s more, breast cancer is the top cause of death among Latinas. That’s one of the reasons that a researcher at Liberty University is looking for Latina breast cancer survivors to participate in a research study. Let’s explore the research study and discover ways to contribute to research to ensure better breast cancer outcomes for Latinas and all women.
Research Study on Breast Cancer
The study aims ...
At Salud America!, we're excited to discuss health during Hispanic Heritage Month! This annual U.S. observance, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories, backgrounds and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America and Latin America.
How Did Hispanic Heritage Month Start?
U.S. Congressmen George E. Brown and Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles, and Henry B. Gonzales, were among those who introduced legislation on the topic in 1968. President Lyndon Johnson implemented the observance as Hispanic Heritage Week that year. U.S. Rep. Esteban E. Torres of Pico Rivera proposed the observance be expanded to cover a 31-day period. President Ronald Reagan implemented the expansion to Hispanic Heritage ...
Navigating a family member’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis is difficult. But what about some of our younger and more vulnerable family members who may lack the resources needed to open up and talk about the disease? Otskuka, a pharmaceutical company focused on advancing patient care, is following up ion the narrative of its original video with an interactive video series geared toward helping children adjust and recognize the changes in their loved ones. Let’s dig into the interactive video and how families can use it to engage their youngest family members.
Interactive Alzheimer’s Video
The interactive video experience Time With Josh introduces viewers to Josh, a boy who has a special relationship with his grandma, who is showing signs of memory loss. The ...
In the last 15 years, U.S. mortality rates have leveled off or worsened, according to a new report from the National Institutes of Health. One of the lesser-known reasons for this trend is educational level. “Notably, research has found that mortality is [better] among people with a higher level of education,” according to NIH. Let’s dig deeper into this research and what it means for our communities.
What Research Found on Educational Levels
The NIH cites a recent study, published in JAMA Health Forum and led by Boston University School of Public Health. The study examined U.S. mortality rates by educational attainment before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Census ...
While cancer continues to be a leading cause of death among those living in the US, 2001 to 2022 saw a steady drop in cancer cases, according to a the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer. The decline can be attributed to the decrease in incidence and deaths due to lung cancer and other cancers related to smoking, according to researchers. Alternatively, cancers related to obesity, which is linked to an increased risk of cancer, have risen over the past 20 years. This has led to higher rates of female breast, uterus, colon and rectal, pancreatic, kidney, and liver cancers, according to the report. Let’s break down the report and discuss what the data means for Latinos and all people.
Cancer by the Numbers
The new report, supported by the National ...
Your liver is a key to overall health, performing hundreds of essential functions in your body. Find out the latest in liver health issues and solutions at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “What You Should Know about Your Amazing Liver,” which occurred at 11 a.m. Central on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. This webinar featured expert panelists from Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio, Texas Liver Institute, Genentech, and more to explore the state of liver health in South Texas. Panelists examined the oversized impact of liver disease and liver cancer and its causes among South Texas residents, who are predominantly Latino, and beyond Texas. Understanding the reasons why this is happening can reveal how to address this health issue and prevent liver cancer among Latinos and ...
Health Confianza wants to help health professionals to address stigma, use plain language with patients, and more in its upcoming virtual health literacy series. The series, Communicating with Confianza — A Health Literacy ECHO, is a six-part online learning experience focused on “empowering health professionals with health literacy education, resources and knowledge-sharing tools,” according to the nonprofit funded by Bexar County and located at UT Health San Antonio. The free course is open to all health professionals, including physicians, nurses, community health workers, social workers and pharmacists. Confianza — A Health Literacy ECHO covers the following topics: Acknowledging perspectives, stigma, creating a shame-free environment, plain language, shared ...
