Financial stress has been linked to numerous negative health concerns. The stress felt from financial pressure can affect appetites and sleep patterns and greatly impact overall physical and mental well-being. One of the most pressing financial stressors people deal with stems from paying for housing. IN rural areas, the difficulties of finding affordable housing is often exacerbated. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently invested over $74 million to build and preserve affordable rural rental housing for families across the country. In order to reduce health disparities, it is critical to address inequities in programs, practices, and policies. Join our site, connect with others, and get involved. “[The] USDA's multi-family housing program has ...
A new policy for a sugary drink tax was recently proposed by Mayor Javier Gonzales to help fund Santa Fe, New Mexico (51.2% Latino) to expand early childhood educations programs. However, after much discussion about the proposed tax, the city council requested information about finances and if the tax could generate the projected funds of up to ten million dollars a year. The Mayor had presented an economic study in the previous proposals to the city council, stating that ten million dollars would be needed to expand prekindergarten classrooms. Now the plan for the tax has been redefined for the tax to be implemented only within city limits and excludes artificially sweetened beverages will be presented by Mayor Gonzales in January 2017. By limiting the tax to city limits, ...
Low expectations for Latino kids is a modifiable factor that negatively influences their health, academic success, and future. In order and build a culture of higher expectations, kids need positive messaging in school and in the home. Lionel Sosa, a legend in Hispanic marketing and former Fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, created Yes! Our Kids Can, a digital education system, to raise expectations for Latino youths growing up in poverty. Rather than expect parents to go into schools, this app-based tool allows families to bring it into their homes to set goals for their kids and encourage them to go go college. Technology plays an important role in reaching and engaging Latino kids. Sosa previously worked as a media consultant for Presidents Ronald ...
The National Parks Service is $12 billion behind in needed repairs to park infrastructure, such as deteriorating trails, buildings, and structures in our national parks. In December 2016, the House and the Senate approved the National Park Service Centennial Act (H.R. 4680) to help address the $12 billion maintenance backlog by leveraging federal funds with private dollars for visitor-oriented projects; establishing dedicated funding for an endowment; and providing educational programs and opportunities for youths to serve and learn. Public-private partnerships have been successful in leveraging funds over the last two years. Congress committed to a federal match of $25 million, which raised twice that in private donations for the National Park Service (NPS). Parks play a vital ...
The current phase of Open Enrollment is underway for those looking to obtain healthcare coverage, and so far, over 1.6 million people have taken advantage of the options at the Healthcare Marketplace. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more than 4 million Latino adults who were previously uninsured now have health coverage. The ACA has also reduced the number of uninsured Latinos by more than 25%, from 41.8% to 30.5%. In 2014, an estimated 8 in 10 uninsured Latinos qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), or lower costs on monthly premiums through the Health Insurance Marketplace. “With plans available for less than $75 per month in premiums, 2.1 million Americans have already selected coverage through HealthCare.gov, more than had signed up at ...
Ever had a song stuck in your head before? Well if it's Minneapolis youth's "Grow Food" song, it may just help you think more about healthy food. Rapping to encourage people to grow healthy food, teens from Minneapolis with the non-profit Appetite For Change (AFC), have made veggies like broccoli into latest and greatest rap song of 2016, according to Vibe. After working in the summer of 2016 with AFC's Youth Employment & Training Program that also worked with Beats & Rhymes, youth in Northern Minneapolis were inspired to create the "Grow Food" song, which has garnered over 136,138 likes and counting. The catchy song that raps phrases like "pullin' veggies out the garden" and "drinking water living longer, no processed drama", inspires youth to change their unhealthy ...
Mammogram screening rates are lower in Latina than white women and lower in uninsured women than insured women. In order to prevent the social, emotional, and economic burdens of breast cancer among Latina and all women, as well as to prevent premature death, it is critical to reduce barriers to access mammogram screening, like free counseling and screening. The Community Breast Navigation Program (CBNP) embedded a community breast navigator in an adult medicine clinic in a federally qualified community health center in Hartford, Connecticut (17.4% Latino) and increased mammogram screening rates. Through a partnership between UConn and the Susan G. Komen of Southern New England, anyone who visited the clinic had the option to receive free breast cancer counseling and ...
Do you live in one of the countries healthiest cities? More and more cities are recognizing the importance building a culture of health for their citizens. Many have added built environment features, such as improved walkways and bike lanes for people to add more activity into their daily lives. Increasing access to green spaces, such as public parks, as well as free exercise programs have also become some of the initiatives undertaken by cities across the country. Latinos, especially Latino kids, in underserved communities have limited options for physical activity, which is part of the reason they are more likely to be overweight or obese than their peers. Condé Nast Traveler magazine has compiled a list of the country’s healthiest cities which they determined by factors such ...
There are many options for dining out these days, but which restaurants offer healthier and more sustainable options for families? REAL, standing for Responsible, Epicurean, and Agricultural Leadership, is a nationally recognized mark of excellence for food and foodservice operators committed to holistic nutrition and environmental stewardship. The United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC), established in 2012, works to help restaurants become REAL Certified in three areas that show conscious health for the environment and the people. The goal is to make sure healthy choices are highlighted and offered, and that unhealthy options are limited or changed for families dining out. Through this certification, healthy changes are being made in restaurants all over the ...
