Latinas who have an abnormal mammogram result take 33 days longer to reach definitive diagnosis of breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women, according to a new study by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Such a time delay can have a critical impact on tumor size, stage at diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and survival of subsequent breast cancer. For this study, published online in SpringerPlus in March 2013, IHPR researchers worked with partners in the federally funded Redes En Acción: The National Latino Cancer Network to evaluate the differences in time to diagnosis of breast cancer among 186 Latinas and 74 non-Hispanic whites who received an abnormal mammogram result in six U.S. cities. Analysis ...
Extra support for patients, called “patient navigation,” can lead to faster diagnosis for Latinas after an abnormal mammogram result, according to a new study by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR), part of the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The study, published this week by the journal Cancer, also suggests that patient navigation should be carefully targeted to have the greatest impact on eventual health outcomes. IHPR researchers worked with partners in the federally funded Redes En Acción: The National Latino Cancer Network to examine the experiences of 425 Latinas in six cities nationwide. Each woman had received an abnormal result in initial breast cancer screening and was referred for further ...
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 ...
Latinas are less physically active than Latino men and are less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than other population groups. This inactivity may lead to obesity and associated conditions like diabetes and heart disease. To improve Latinas’ health, a new five-year, $3.48 million study will use promotoras—trained community health workers—to lead culturally appropriate group education and exercise sessions for Latinas in community centers in South Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley, says study leader Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina, professor at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) in the School of Medicine of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Participants also will get newsletters and telephone counseling. The effort, ...
Apply now for a program, “Investing in America’s Future: Mentoring Researchers in Latino Health Disparities,” which aims to mentor junior faculty, scientists and post-doctoral individuals pursuing research in Latino cardiovascular disease to increase this field of research. The program, led by San Diego State University, will bring together accomplished and aspiring researchers in Latino public health at a two-week summer institute from July 20-Aug. 3, 2012, in San Diego. Additional mentoring will be provided through ongoing communication with an assigned mentor, a mid-year visit to each of the mentee’s research settings, and a second summer institute in San Diego in 2013. Travel, housing, ground transportation and per diem will be provided. Rolling admissions now are ...
Step 1: Innovative cancer education. Step 2: Cancer screening. Step 3: Catching cancer at early, treatable stages. That’s the life-saving idea behind Salud San Antonio!, a new $2 million research project led by Dr. Cynthia Mojica, assistant professor at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Salud San Antonio! will partner with several community groups and employ community health workers—also known as promotoras—to teach Latinos in low-income, health-problematic areas on the city’s West and South sides about breast, cervical and colorectal cancer and the benefits of cancer screening. After promotoras teach, they’ll refer Latinos for cancer screening and even help with travel to appointments, interpreting medical forms and ...
Editor’s Note: This is a 20-part series featuring new research briefs on Latino childhood obesity, nutrition, physical activity and more by the 20 grantees of Salud America! Part 14 is Dr. Myriam Torres. Find all briefs here. Dr. Myriam Torres
“Voices of Latina Mothers and School Staff on Childhood Obesity” In her Salud America! pilot research project, Dr. Myriam Torres of the University of South Carolina brought together public health researchers, community leaders and Latino families to study and develop effective policy recommendations regarding physical activity among Latino children from a growing immigrant settlement in West Columbia, S.C. Key preliminary findings include: main barriers to healthy eating and physical activity among Latino children include ...
Editor's Note: This is Part 3 of a series on new Salud America! research briefs examining Latino youth nutrition, physical activity and marketing. Today's focus is physical activity. Preventing obesity among Latino youth will require a sizeable decrease in energy intake and/or a reciprocal increase in physical activity. A new Salud America! research brief shows that: Latino parents report more barriers to their children’s physical activity than do white parents, including transportation problems, concerns about neighborhood safety, and the expense and availability of local recreation opportunities.
Latino children living in lower-income communities and unsafe neighborhoods are more likely to be physically inactive, overweight and/or obese.
Immigrant Latino children are ...
Editor’s Note: This post is part of an ongoing series that will highlight the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s work in Latino communities across the country. When his only child Emilio died of cancer shortly before his sixth birthday, Richard Nares found his world was shattered. As he and his wife tried to put their lives back together, Nares realized his priorities had changed. “All I wanted to do was help other families who were going through what we went through,” said Nares, who was an artist and picture framer. Putting his family’s tragedy and hard-earned knowledge to use, Nares and his wife Diane established the Emilio Nares Foundation to transport underprivileged families whose children are battling cancer to their medical visits at Rady Children’s Hospital ...
