Latinos and blacks are more likely to pick up a cigarette-smoking habit during their 20s, according to a new study, Science Daily reports. The study, published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, looked at longitudinal data and found that, at age 18-and-a-half, 44% of whites, 27% of Latinos, and 18% of blacks smoked cigarettes. By age 29, the trend rose in Latinos and blacks (30% and 31%) and dropped in whites (40%). Study researchers said the findings can help guide interventions targeted to reduce cigarette smoking "at the right ages for the right socio-demographic groups," said Rebecca J. Evans-Polce, postdoctoral fellow at the Bennett Pierce Prevention Center. "In order to better understand why these disparities in substance use behavior exist, we need to look at how risk ...
Food policy expert Marion Nestle highlights 3 new studies about school food that demonstrate the updated USDA school food guidelines are leading to healthier school meals. Check out her commentary and read about the original studies ...
Latinos have some of the highest rates of visual impairment and blindness, studies show. For those with low vision, the leading cause of vision loss in adults, it's difficult to see even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery. Simple activities like reading the mail, shopping, cooking, and writing can prove challenging. The key is to maximize one's remaining sight. That starts with seeking help from a low-vision specialist—an ophthalmologist or optometrist who works with people who have low vision to develop a vision rehabilitation plan that identifies strategies and helpful devices appropriate for the person's particular needs. "A vision rehabilitation plan helps people reach their true visual potential when nothing more can be done from a medical or ...
Join the Tulane Prevention Research Center and the City of New Orleans for a monthly Tweetchat on Healthy Living! The #LiveFitNOLA Tweetchat series will kick-off on March 3, 2015 at 12pm CST. This month's guest is Louisiana's Health & Fitness Magazine. Follow @TulanePRC, @FitNOLA, and @Healthfitmag on Twitter and stay tuned to the great work they're doing to promote better health. Don't forget to use the hashtag #LiveFitNOLA in all of your tweets! See you ...
Patterns of media usage among Hispanics varies by age group---something food marketers are keenly aware of. According to Joline McGoldrick, research director, of Dynamic Logic/Millward Brown, Hispanic Millenials---those born after 1980---are more likely to use their smartphones for accessing the internet than to watch TV. On the other hand those categorized as Generation X (born between 1965-1980) are more to watch TV than to access the internet via mobile phone. By understanding how Latinos use media, we can also gain insight into how marketers of junk food target this group with their ads, and work to promote healthier marketing. Find more resources related to Media Use Among US Hispanics by visiting the resources below: US Hispanic Millennials The 'Most-First ...
Having time for recess is important to the physical, mental, emotional, and intellectual well-being of a child. In 2010, the Minnesota Legislature looked at the benefits of recess, resulting in the “Healthy Kids Bill.” The bill authorized the Minnesota Department of Education to develop guidelines for recess and to develop the Recess Moves toolkit, which provides examples for encouraging students to increase their levels of activity. Access the toolkit ...
Our friends over at Active Living Research (ALR) have done a wonderful job of creating a new Spanish infographic titled: "Hay Lugares Seguros Para Que Todos Los Ninos Puedan Realizar Actividades Físicas?" This translated version of ALR's popular "Do All Kids Have Safe Places to Be Active?" infographic was a collaborative effort between ALR and Salud America! The infographic paints a clear picture of the multiple barriers that keep children from low-income, Latino, and African American communities from being active. Despite the lack of recreational facilities, broken sidewalks, inadequate time for recess, and higher rates of automobile crashes and crime that exist in these underserved communities, there's hope! By working for improved policies and improvements to ...
The number of Latino doctors declined 22% over the past 30 years, while the Latino population rose 243% in the same span, according to a new study. The study, from UCLA’s Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture, used Census data to examine the Latino physician workforce from 1980 and 2010. Latino doctors declined from 135 to 105 per 100,000 Latinos from 1980 to 2010, a 22% drop. White doctors increased from 211 to 315 per 100,000 whites in the same period, a 49% rise. Study leaders said the Latino doctoral shortage negatively affects patients. “There is a shortage of health care professionals that, at minimum, have the language skills to communicate effectively with patients, provide quality care and avoid harmful outcomes for a growing majority of patients ...
While some schools are trending towards healthier food during school time, some schools still hold on to copious birthday treats and junk food "rewards." As a parent, what can be done? Bettina Elias Siegel, the mom and healthy food advocate behind the popular blog The Lunch Tray, has released a new, free eBook that aims to help parents navigate different aspects of school food. The Lunch Tray’s Guide to Getting Junk Food Out of Your Child’s Classroom addresses a wide variety of topics including: how wellness policies and the new federal “Smart Snacks” rules relate to classroom junk food; the tricky problem of birthday treats and how to respond to your opponents on that issue; the use of junk food as a classroom reward; the use of candy as a teaching ...
