Editor’s Note: This post is part of an ongoing series that will highlight work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in Latino communities. SaludToday Guest Blogger: Risa Lavizzo-Mourey
President and CEO, RWJF RWJF and the Trust for America’s Health recently released our annual report, F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future. Obesity rates in the United States remain unacceptably high, and the epidemic persists in affecting Blacks and Hispanics disproportionately. For the first time, this year’s report examined how the obesity epidemic could impact our future 20 years from now. Ironically, this forecast has made me reflect on the past. Thirty years ago, I lived in Philadelphia and was an instructor at Temple University. After a long day ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Diana Flores
San Mateo, Calif. Some of Diana Flores’ extended family members didn’t want her to go to college. They thought she should stick to a traditional Latina role—wife and mother—instead of “wasting” money and time on education. But Flores’ mother and father encouraged her to pursue the educational career path she was passionate about. With their support, she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in public health (environmental health sciences and global health) from the University of California, Los Angeles ...
With the second-highest national rate of obesity in the world (after the U.S.) and the fourth highest rate of childhood obesity, Mexico has started an initiative to help educate children about healthy eating habits and the dangers associated with sugary beverages and fatty foods, Voxxi reports. Mexican officials recently started a “Week of Taste” program in 124 schools to show children natural and simple flavors while creating a desire to eat healthy. Last year, they started a campaign to focus on getting young people to drink more water, eat more vegetables and fruit, and to exercise more. Read more here or check out this special video report by ...
Looking for easy-to-read, reliable, and actionable information on more than 40 different health topics—in Spanish? Check out Tu Guia de Salud, a Spanish-language version of healthfinder.gov’s Quick Guide to Healthy Living. The site has resources on a wide range of health topics selected from more than 1,600 government and non-profit organizations to offer the best, most reliable health information on the ...
Obesity is a serious health challenge, but what if everyone around you is eating better and moving more? What if Austin and Houston were shaping up? Would San Antonio shape up, too? The Healthy at H-E-B Community Challenge pits Texas cities against each other to see which community can demonstrate the greatest commitment to health. Individuals, schools, organizations or business and mayors can all help their communities earn points. Points are earned for cities when community members upload a description and picture of their healthy activities. The competition runs until Nov. 1. At that time, one winner will be announced from each of the three size categories: small, midsize, and large. Although San Antonio is winning, many other cities are active and uploading healthy ...
How can... Researchers be Policy Change Agents? (Pg 1)
Latinos Take a "No-Soda Challenge? (Pg 3)
Parents Communicate Better w/Kids? (Pg 5)
Latinos Face Unhealthy Marketing? (Pg 6) Find out in the Salud America! E-newsletter. Also find lots more news, research and funding inside the E-newsletter, and discover the preliminary research results of several Salud America! grantees working in Latino clinics, communities, and schools. Salud America! is funded by RWJF and directed by the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, which developed SaludToday. To sign up to receive Salud America! E-newsletters, go ...
Parents know that teenagers have a lot to teach us. Many parents can send text messages, check e-mail on our cell phones or use a MP3 device because of their teens. Teen Driver Safety Week Oct. 14-20, is parents' turn to return the favor. This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages parents to teach teens ways that they can be safer drivers. For Latino parents, this teaching is particularly important, as car crashes are the leading cause of death for Hispanic teens. Luckily, that’s a statistic you can change. Here are five strategies: 1. Set a Good Example: If you’re telling your teen to follow safe driving behaviors, so should you. That means always wearing your seat belt, keeping your cell phone in ...
Public health helps kids grow up healthy and helps build strong communities. Public health saves lives and saves money. But it is often tricky describing public health and its impact in concrete terms, which is a critical step in building support for these important programs. This infographic from the American Public Health Association (APHA) is an excellent tool to show the positive impact of public health and reinforce the importance of funding for public health programs at all ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Carla Rosales
Kenner, La. Carla Rosales found herself essentially on her own in a new city in New Orleans, not knowing anyone, not knowing much about the college process and little financial aid. But with her supportive parents in her native Honduras and her family’s faith and culture, she overcame many hurdles and doubts to move to New Orleans in 2006—a year after Hurricane Katrina—and reach her higher education goals. Rosales earned her bachelor’s degree and worked as a research assistant at the University of New Orleans, where she helped conduct research based on identification and characterization of ...
