Ramirez Named to National Committee on Science Communication

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Congratulations to Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio!

Ramirez was named to the National Academies of Medicine’s Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication Research and Practice on Nov. 7, 2018.

The committee’s mission is to engage partners to advance the field of science communication. That means building a more coherent knowledge base about approaches to communicating science, making it easier for science communication practitioners to access and use research to inform their practice, and supporting individuals and groups in communicating science outside the scientific enterprise.

On the committee, Ramirez joins other practitioners and researchers from groups like Pew Charitable Trusts, America Public Health Association, and other universities.

“I’m excited to serve on this committee, and I look forward to improving the communication of scientific discoveries and strategies to improve disease prevention and health equity,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez’s communication studies and programs have contributed to increased cancer screening, better cancer risk factor identification, and more culturally relevant messaging about how healthy lifestyles can help prevent cancer, reduce chronic disease, and improve health equity.

For example, her patient navigation studies reduced Latina breast cancer patients’ times to diagnosis and treatment, which helped save their lives. More than 1 in 5 smokers fully quit smoking after completing Dr. Ramirez’s bilingual Quitxt text-messaging program. Of 175 minority participants in her Éxito! cancer research training program since 2011, more than 20% are currently enrolled in a doctoral program.

Ramirez also has led Salud America! since its launch in 2007 with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funding.

“Exposure to our content correlates with a higher degree of engagement in advocacy actions at the school, local, state, and national levels,” said Ramirez, citing recent survey data of network members. “It also increases people’s individual confidence to advocate for healthy change.”

Dr. Ramirez will serve on the Standing Committee through Dec. 31, 2020.