Hispanic Heritage Month is here! This annual U.S. observance, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. We at Salud America! invite you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in these 31 awesome ways.
1. Learn How Hispanic Heritage Month Began
U.S. Congressmen Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and Henry B. Gonzales were among those who introduced legislation on the topic in 1968. President Lyndon Johnson implemented the observance as Hispanic Heritage Week that year. Did you know which U.S. President turned it from Hispanic Heritage Week to Hispanic Heritage Month? Learn more here.
2. Find Out Why Hispanic Heritage Month Starts on Sept. 15
Sept. ...
As the U.S. population continues to age, more Latinos and all people will face memory loss because of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Fortunately, every year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates its National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease to adopt new strategies to support communities impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. This year, HHS is seeking direction from clinicians, researchers, caregivers, and families on what areas to focus on to address dementia through 2035. Submit a Salud America! model comment to tell HHS to help improve Alzheimer’s health outcomes for Latinos and all populations by supporting clinical trials, programs, and investments that make a ...
While screen time can have some benefits, evidence is mounting of high risks to children’s mental and physical health, according to a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General. That is why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing to refine two objectives to further limit screen time as part of Healthy People 2030. The refinements are to increase the proportion of children ages 2-5 who get no more than 1 hour of screen time a day and increase the proportion of parents who follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on limiting screen time for children ages 6-17. They’re also proposing to add three new objectives. You can comment on the changes by emailing HP2030Comment@hhs.gov. Or you can endorse a comment from Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, ...
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled in favor of legally enforceable standards that limit toxic “forever chemicals,” also known as perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), in drinking water. Human exposure to PFAS is linked to adverse health effects, such as increased cancer risk. However, the current federal administration is revisiting the EPA’s ruling, claiming that the former administration didn’t follow proper channels to lawfully regulate the use of four key chemicals in the PFAS family, CNN reports. The EPA’s regulatory process is underway to repeal some PFAS limitations and delay implementation of others. July 2026 Update: The EPA received 53,643 comments regarding protections for safe drinking water and ...
You can share your voice to influence health by filling out the 2026 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) from the South Texas Area Health Education Center, which is headquartered at UT Health San Antonio. The CHNA is a brief, anonymous survey that asks South Texans to share their experiences, needs, and priorities related to health and wellbeing. “Your input helps shape health strategies, services, and partnerships in our communities,” according to the South Texas AHEC program. take the community survey!
Why is the CHNA Survey Important for South Texas?
The CHNA survey can help healthcare professionals better understand what is happening in the communities by gathering information about several factors: health concerns
access to care and services
social ...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering whether to allow some flavored e-cigarettes on the market, according to new draft guidance. However, any new vape flavors could only be marketed to adults. Under the new guidance, the FDA may approve vape flavors like “mint, coffee, tea and spices like clove or cinnamon,” but it “will continue rejecting sweet or fruit-flavored products” that appeal more to teens, according to HealthDay, a news agency. FDA states that certain e-cigarette flavors can help facilitate adults switching away from tobacco cigarettes and increase quit attempts. However, public health leaders warn of harm. “Allowing any flavors on the market benefits only corporations and harms public health,” Kelsey Romeo-Stuppy of Action on Smoking ...
Good health is important for all people! With this in mind, Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America!, is sharing an important comment to focus on many aspects of health for Latinos and all people as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. Endorse Dr. Ramirez’s comment here. Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. May 2026 UPDATE: 97 Salud America! members submitted comments in support of Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez’s comment to prioritize many aspects of health and research for Latinos and all people. Endorese the Comment
Endorse Dr. Ramirez’s Comment on the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan
Dear NIH leaders, As the leader of Salud America!, an organization that promotes health improvement ...
Wherever you live, learn, work, and grow in San Antonio, the non-medical drivers of health (NMDOH) can ultimately shape your health outcomes. NMDoH issues include access to affordable housing, healthy food, reliable transportation, education, healthcare, income level, and more. If we can identify and address NMDoH, we can create a healthier future for all. Download the Salud America! Action Pack, “Help People Solve Their NMDoH Problems in San Antonio,” to connect people with the right community resources for help with housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. The action pack, developed by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez at UT Health San Antonio, helps you identify local NMDoH issues and offers a San Antonio-focused community resource guide with Spanish-language support and ...
Volunteering for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s helps other people. It gives the volunteer a nice emotional boost, too. So why not volunteer your “digital voice” or “actions”? We at Salud America! invite you to take or start these 17 actions to promote health for Latino and all families this holiday season!
1. Get Your Town's Health Report Card!
How is the state of health in your community? Find out by downloading a Salud America! Health Report Card for your town! Enter your county name and get auto-generated local data with interactive maps and comparative gauges on several health indicators. This can help you visualize and explore local issues in education, housing, transportation, food, health, and more. See how your county stacks up compared to the ...
92 People Endorsed Dr. Amelie Ramirez’s Comment to Limit Children’s Screen Time in Healthy People 2030
While screen time can have some benefits, evidence is mounting of high risks to children’s mental and physical health, according to a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General. That is why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing to refine two objectives to further limit screen time as part of Healthy People 2030. The refinements are to increase the proportion of children ages 2-5 who get no more than 1 hour of screen time a day and increase the proportion of parents who follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on limiting screen time for children ages 6-17. They’re also proposing to add three new objectives. You can comment on the changes by emailing HP2030Comment@hhs.gov. Or you can endorse a comment from Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, ...
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