Many healthcare facilities require healthcare staff to complete regular sensitivity trainings on cultural competency, bedside manner, and similar topics. These trainings can help providers deliver compassionate care for diverse patients. But, as more healthcare systems go the extra mile to create a social determinants of health (SDoH) screening program to care for patients’ non-medical social needs, staff may need additional resources to guide conversations that are often deeply personal for some patients. Here’s how healthcare staff can build rapport with patients and gain confidence in discussing social needs, from housing to income.
Put Yourself in the Patient’s Shoes
Think about your patient’s demographics. What non-medical barriers to health do they face? What ...
A few years ago, scientists advised federal leaders to adjust the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to lower added sugar intake from 10% to 6% of daily calories and reduce men’s daily alcohol intake from two to one drink a day. That advice was not taken. Now those scientists – the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee – are asking for public comment as they again prepare to recommend changes to the dietary guidelines. This is an opportunity to speak up for nutrition! Submit a model comment created by Salud America! to urge lower added sugar and alcohol intake in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans! The comment period opened Jan. 19, 2023. Comments close on Oct. 1, 2024. COMMENT now!
Submit This Model Comment for More Nutritious Dietary ...
CDC's Project Firstline knows that healthcare workers are short on time, but this shouldn’t limit access to practical and valuable infection control training. That’s why CDC's Project Firstline developed Infection Control Micro-Learns – a series of guided infection control discussions that can be easily incorporated into team meetings or huddles facilitated by an experienced team member with infection control expertise. These short and easy-to-understand learning opportunities can help healthcare workers recognize and minimize infection control risks to protect themselves, coworkers, and patients from infectious diseases. Let’s explore the Infection Control Micro-Learn on rashes!
What to Do When You See a Patient with a Rash
A rash is abnormal skin that is usually red, ...
Thomas Brittain and his immediate family gathered in the neurologist’s office, eager to hear the health status of their beloved family member, 67-year-old Sarah Cadena. “Your mother has a cognitive impairment,” the neurologist said. “We recommend that she transition to living with family for her own safety.” Without a second thought, the Brittain family began planning how to care for Sarah Cadena. That was 13 years ago. Since then, Sarah Cadena has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a disease that can lead to progressive memory loss and ability to perform daily activities. Thomas, Sarah Cadena’s son, a retired San Antonio police officer, is now her primary caretaker. Sarah Cadena lives with Thomas and his family, and as far as caretaking goes, Thomas said he and ...
In early 2019, Gabriella “Gaby” Godines got the news that she wasn’t accepted to medical school. She was understandably disappointed, but she’s a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Looking back, Gaby can confirm that medical school wasn’t the right path for her at that time. Instead, her opportunity to pursue a career in medicine would come later – after a few more years of patience, hard work, and compassion, and an internship at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio. “Everyone has different journeys toward their goal,” Gaby said. “I’m really grateful for where I am.”
Journey to Medicine
Growing up in Laredo, Texas, a border town, Gaby spent a lot of time in her father’s medical clinic where he ...
CDC Project Firstline knows that healthcare workers are short on time, but this shouldn’t limit access to practical and valuable infection control training. That’s why CDC Project Firstline developed Infection Control Micro-Learns – a series of guided infection control discussions that can be easily incorporated into team meetings or huddles facilitated by an experienced team member with infection control expertise. These short and easy-to-understand learning opportunities can help healthcare workers recognize and minimize infection control risks to protect themselves, coworkers, and patients from infectious diseases. Let’s explore the Infection Control Micro-Learn on blood!
What to Do When You See Blood
As a healthcare worker, you will work with a variety of patients ...
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Project Firstline program provides all healthcare workers – no matter their role or educational background – the infection control training and resources they need to protect themselves, their patients, and their coworkers from infectious diseases. Now in its third year, Project Firstline is made up of a diverse group of more than 20 healthcare, public health, and academic partners, as well as state and local territorial health departments. In collaboration with the National Hispanic Medical Association, Salud America! is one of those partners. To support Project Firstline and our fellow partners, we’re spotlighting impressive infection control resources that are culturally tailored to diverse audiences. Today, ...
Summer heat waves are increasingly more severe due to climate change, making it important to ensure children’s safety amid rising temperatures. While essentials like sunscreen, hats, and shade are important, one of the most crucial steps is keeping children hydrated. Let’s dive into hydration and other ways to help families stay safe this summer!
1. Drink Water
The Institute of Medicine recommends that children ages 4 to 8 drink about 2 quarts of water a day, with the amount going up as they get older. Teenage boys should drink 3.5 quarts of water a day, and teenage girls 2.4 quarts a day. How much more water should children drink amid the summer heat? “There is no exact calculation for figuring out how much water is enough as kids run around faster ...
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Project Firstline program provides all healthcare workers – no matter their role or educational background – the infection control training and resources they need to protect themselves, their patients, and their coworkers from infectious diseases. Now in its third year, Project Firstline is made up of a diverse group of more than 20 healthcare, public health, and academic partners, as well as state and local territorial health departments. In collaboration with the National Hispanic Medical Association, Salud America! is one of those partners. To support Project Firstline and our fellow partners, we’re spotlighting impressive infection control resources that are culturally tailored to diverse audiences. Today, ...
