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Leveraging Technology to Enhance Research, Cancer Control and Prevention


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This content is from the "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings." Advances in Evidence-based Digital Solutions for Supporting Latino Cancer Patients Dr. John Piette is Professor in the School of Public Health, and Director of the Center for Managing Chronic Disease (CMCD) at the University of Michigan. Cognitive behavioral therapy Dr. Piette’s presentation began by discussing how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used for Latino cancer patients. CBT is the most common evidence-based intervention for cancer patients struggling with mental health, symptoms, stress, and sleep. In cancer patients, CBT has been shown to help manage distress and pain, alleviate insomnia, manage fear of cancer recurrence, and reduce emotional distress and ...

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Strategies for Inclusive Engagement of Latinos in Cancer Clinical Trials


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This content is from the "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings." The NCI Community Oncology Research Program: Opportunities to Increase Latino Participation in Clinical Trials Dr. Brenda Adjei is Associate Director of the Office of Healthcare Delivery and Equity Research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center for Cancer Research. The NCI Community Oncology Research Program Dr. Adjei’s presentation began with a discussion of Latino participation in cancer clinical trials. Diversity in clinical trials is critically important because it generates biomedical knowledge relevant to all, builds trust and trustworthiness, and contributes to reductions in health disparities and equitable research participation. Current underrepresentation in ...

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ASCL 2024: Conclusion


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This content is from the "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings." Conclusion To eliminate cancer disparities in Latinx populations, Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos brought together researchers, scientists, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the US and Latin America. These presenters shared research advancements, identified gaps, developed actionable goals, updated clinical best practices, described effective community interventions, and detailed professional training programs aimed at addressing inequity. In the process, most of the speakers made recommendations, either specific to their field of study or more broadly. The following are some key recommendations abstracted from their conference ...

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ASCL 2024: Introduction


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This content is from the "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings." Healthcare Inequity in the Latinx Community The Latinx population both within and outside the US has significant heterogeneity. [Velazquez-Villarreal] After all, Latin America has been a melting pot of mixed populations for 500 years, with over 20 heritage groups recognized by the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. These groups are distinct, with unique culture, language, and US influence, but are also connected by more similarities than differences. [Perez-Stable] Latinx individuals are the largest and youngest minority in the US and are projected to account for more than half of the overall growth through 2060. Compared to non-Hispanic White individuals, Latinx ...

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Study: Sugary Drink Taxes Linked to Decreased Obesity in Seattle


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Over the last several years, cities across the US have taxed sugary drinks to reduce the consumption of these beverages and prioritize the health of their communities.   In 2018, Seattle joined this wave of cities in placing a tax on sugary drinks.   At 1.75 cents per ounce, the tax was created to disincentivize the consumption and purchase of sugary drinks and improve community health.   But did it work?  A recent study published on the JAMA Network sought to answer this very question by comparing the health of children within the taxable area to those in neighboring areas.  This is what they found.  Sugary Drink Tax Studies  Studying the relationship between the sugary drink tax and health is nothing new.  In fact, previous studies on taxes have pointed to a ...

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Explore Your Mental Health with the All of Us Research Program



One in four U.S. adults were living with a mental health condition as of last year — that’s nearly 60 million people, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  Many questions remain about the rise of mental health issues.   That's why the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program has taken a special interest in mental health.  As part of the program’s mission to collect the health data of over 1 million Americans, the All of Us Research Program is learning more about the mental health backgrounds of participants, which could advance mental health research.   When signing up for the program, participants fill out mental health surveys.   Through these surveys researchers can study early mental illness risk ...

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Study Offers Free Telehealth Therapy for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers



Often, Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers put the needs of the person they are caring for above their own — neglecting their physical, emotional, and mental health in the process.   While seen as a selfless act, when left unchecked, it can lead to depression.   That’s why researchers at Texas Tech University are giving informal caregivers caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and dementia an opportunity to reduce their stress levels by offering free telehealth therapy.   As part of the research study, eligible participants will meet once a week for 12-16 sessions with a therapist and fill out questionnaires and surveys before, during, and after therapy.   These surveys are spaced out and only take 30 to 45 minutes to complete online, by mail, or over the ...

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Study: Latinos Suffered Big Losses in Health Coverage, Care Amid COVID-19



Challenges in health insurance coverage and healthcare access worsened during the pandemic, according to a new study in the journal Geospatial Health.  The study found Latinos and African Americans were the most affected populations.     “Our results suggest that loss of insurance coverage and reduced access to health services deepened inequities in an already uneven healthcare landscape, particularly for African American and Hispanic/Latino populations,” according to the study researchers.  Let’s dive into what the data found and what this means for Latinos.   How Did COVID-19 Impact Healthcare for Latinos?  Study researchers – from CDC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health – ...

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Help South Texas Researchers Learn More About Sleep Disturbance



Do you get the recommended 7-10 hours of sleep a night?   Insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality contribute to the development and management of many health issues, from diabetes to heart disease, according to the CDC.   Researchers at UT Health San Antonio and their partners are studying sleep disturbances among blood cancer patients and comparing effectiveness of two wellness-based mobile apps to help improve sleep.   The Reducing Sleep disTurbance in Cancer (REST-C) study, also called the Heme Study, is a clinical trial that is currently recruiting adults diagnosed with blood cancer and experiencing sleep disturbance. A clinical trial is a study that helps researchers learn more about how different treatments and interventions can be used to help slow, manage, and ...

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