Latino youth who experience discrimination are are more likely to be depressed according to research published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence. The study which examined Latino youth between the ages of 13-17 who lived in the U.S. less than 5 years, also concluded that these kids were less likely to display altruistic characteristics such as volunteering and helping out others. "For Latino adolescents and racial and ethnic minorities, this research demonstrates that discrimination poses an uncontrollable, additional set of challenges in addition to the challenges everyone experiences, whether financial, academic or interpersonal," said one of the study's co-authors, Gustavo Carlo. Read more about this ...
According to a 2015 report published by the William T. Grant Foundation, 1 in 3 Latino kids live in poverty vs. 1 in 7 non-Latino white kids and 1 in 7 Asian children. Such differences are believed to be a central issue which compounds disparities in mental health. The report goes on to list 4 primary issues at the root of inequality in mental health including: Pervasive differences in family Socio-Econoimic Status;
Adverse childhood experiences;
Family structure; and
Neighborhood-level Factors Read more about mental health and Latino ...
A history of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) may negatively impact a mother's exclusive breastfeeding rates. ACEs are negative events or experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction that cause disproportionate stress to children, which can harm their health and development. As the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for negative health outcomes throughout adulthood. According to a study published in the Breastfeeding Medicine Journal, among the women with a history of ACEs, only 36.6% of moms exclusively breastfed their babies for up to 6 months, compared to 46.7% of moms without a history of ACEs. Latina moms face many barriers to breastfeeding, such as low income, participation in federal food assistance programs that offer free infant formula, ...
Known as a “daddy’s girl,” Paloma Suarez learned to be independent from day one when her father encouraged her that she can achieve anything. Growing up in the Dominican Republic and observing massive health inequalities between social classes that led to disproportionate disease burdens, Suarez knew she wanted to improve the status and health of women and families. Suarez is a certified lactation consultant and senior nutritionist for the local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) federal assistance program in Great Barrington, Mass. She is an advocate and translator for mothers who depend on federal assistance, helping them learn the importance of nutrition and physical activity. To increase her training, Suarez applied for the Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership ...
The current phase of Open Enrollment is underway, and Dec. 15 is an important deadline to keep in mind. For those who sign up by midnight, they will be able to begin 2017 fully covered with health insurance. As of December 10, over 4 million people had selected plans using HealthCare.gov since Open Enrollment began November 1, including over 1.1 million new consumers and 2.9 million renewing their coverage. “Momentum is building,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell in a statement. “As we approach the December 15 deadline for consumers to get coverage that begins January 1st, we’re seeing hundreds of thousands of consumers each day signing up for coverage they want and need.” In order to reduce health disparities, it is ...
Guided by her heritage and the “coqui,” support from her parents, and wisdom from God, Ana Hernandez always strives to help others. Healthy food is her main utensil for assistance. In fact, Hernandez has helped many people live healthier lives as a registered dietician who focuses on functional foods. Hernandez, who has a degree in human nutrition and foods from the School Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State University, is also a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and an officer of the Nutrition and Education and Outreach student organization. Just like the “arepas de cojo” she created to benefit Puerto Ricans with metabolic syndrome, she has a keen interest in how food can prevent cancer, which needs far more attention on solutions to the ...
What does having health care coverage mean to you? The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) wants to know! Since its passing, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped over 20 million people attain health care coverage. Over four million Latinos are among those that have gained insurance, lowering the overall rate of uninsured Latinos by nearly 8%. Since the beginning of Open Enrollment, HHS has been asking for people on social media to share their stories on social media how the ACA has benefited them and their loved ones by using the hashtag #CoverageMatters. 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. People can read what everyone ...
Our nation is facing high rates of Latino childhood obesity, unsustainable dependence on carbon-based energy, and high unemployment. Beyond the known health and environmental benefits of sidewalks and bike lanes, what are the employment impacts of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure? A 2011 study compares 58 projects from transportation and public works departments from 11 cities and found that bike projects create 46% more jobs than road projects without bike or pedestrian components. Projects included, road construction and rehabilitation, building new multi-use trails, and widening roads to include bikes lanes and sidewalks. According to this study by the Political Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the “road-only” projects ...
A growing body of evidence shows that children who are physically active are better learners. Latino and all children are more physically active when they have access to safe places to walk and play. Join organizations like, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Club of America, KaBoom!, National League of Cities, Ohio Department of Health, us, and many more in signing the Shared Use Resolution to advance shared use strategies in local communities across the country. Shared use is an effective strategy to make school playgrounds, parks, pools, gymnasiums, and other physical activity facilities open to the public beyond their normal hours so the community can use these spaces to be active. In fact, studies show that 84% more kids are ...
