Arnoldo Rodriguez prides himself in keeping a professional appearance. Whether it be in his position as an educator, school administrator, executive, or in educational sales, the McAllen, Texas, resident always dressed to impress. That’s why Arnoldo knew when he put on a crisp suit and the once-clinging fabric hung loosely at his arms, he knew something wasn’t quite right. Around this time, he would also get excessively tired despite his penchant for exercise. Everything pointed in one direction, and his swollen lymph nodes confirmed the worst ¾ he had cancer. Months of unsuccessful lymphoma treatment led him to participate in a clinical trial and it was that decision that led him on the path to patient leadership. “The clinical trial was my ...
From acute bronchitis to car accidents to overdoses, you never know what is going to come through the doors of an emergency room. However, the ER isn’t only for severe situations – some use it for primary care. This is because the ER has an obligation to treat patients despite someone’s insurance or lack of insurance. That’s why it tends to expose cracks in the health care system. The flaws of health care are mirrored in the HBO TV series The Pitt. The fictional series, set inside a Pittsburg teaching hospital, primarily caters to low-income individuals, celebrates differences, brings awareness to relevant issues, and provides commentary on the US healthcare crisis. Here are some of the ways The Pitt shows how to address the Latino health care crisis. ...
What is your New Year’s Resolution? One of the most popular resolutions is engaging in more physical activity. Moving matters for your health in many ways, so it’s no wonder that increasing physical activity makes it to the top of the goal list for many people every year. However, being more physically active is easier said than done. Let’s explore some of the health benefits of physical activity and go over some ways to keep you motivated throughout the year.
Physical Activity Benefits Against Cancer
There is a slew of reasons that exercise is good for ... well, everything. Countless studies have shown that getting your recommended weekly exercise can greatly reduce your risk for at least eight types of cancer, including bladder, breast, colon, ...
While engaging in the recommended amount of physical activity is a key part to lowering your risk factors for certain diseases like heart disease and diabetes, it doesn’t necessarily mean your risk has diminished. A new study published in PLOS One found that even though you exercise, sitting for long periods of time can be detrimental to your health. The study examined the correlation between activity intensity and sitting. Let’s dig into the results of the study and discover ways to combat physical inactivity for a healthier you!
Study Findings on Sitting and Physical Activity
The study, led by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, examined data from adults aged 28 to 49, many of whom spend an average of 9 hours a day sitting. ...
More than 2 million people in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year. No two among them will experience cancer exactly the same way. Even so, certain groups of people will share similar cancer experiences. Latinos face higher rates of cervical, liver, and stomach cancers. Black women with ovarian cancer don’t live as long as White women with the disease. People living in rural areas are less likely to get regular cancer screenings than those who live in cities. And people who live in areas where poverty has been the norm for decades are more likely to die of cancer than those living in more affluent areas. These patterns of worse outcomes among specific groups of people are called cancer differences. Although biological differences can contribute to ...
Drug misuse continues to be a pervasive problem in the US.
Use of illicit drugs can have disastrous health consequences, especially for vulnerable populations like Latinos, and can lead to premature death.
While there are methods to combat addiction, lack of information, lack of insurance, and less access to treatment facilities can get in the way of seeking treatment.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its annual report on the state of mental health and substance use in the US.
Based on results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States covers mental health and substance use, including tobacco, illicit drugs, and more.
So far, we have covered alcohol, tobacco and vaping, ...
Illicit drug use continues to be a pervasive problem in the US. Use of illicit drugs can have disastrous health consequences, especially for vulnerable populations like Latinos, and can lead to premature death. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its annual report on the state of mental health and substance use in the US. Based on results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States covers mental health and substance use, including tobacco, illicit drugs, and more. So far, we have covered alcohol, tobacco and vaping, and marijuana use among Latinos. In the next part of our series, we’re going to explore the report and find out how using illicit drugs ...
Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for many diseases, including cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Physical inactivity has a 25.3% prevalence in the US, where about 60% of adults say they are physically inactive as of 2020, according to the CDC. That’s why the CDC launched a campaign to get people moving. Active People, Healthy Nation is striving to help 27 million Americans be more physically active by 2027 and getting 10 million adults and 2 million young people to meet the minimum aerobic physical activity guideline. Salud America! is stepping up to help by partnering with the initiative's Moving Matters campaign to get the word out. Let’s dig into some of the short-term and long-term benefits of regular physical ...
Health literacy is defined by the CDC as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.” In today’s world, health literacy is crucial for community members and health professionals, alike, to make everyday decisions and achieve health fairness. However, many communities around the country face challenges to health including access to health care, financial instability, and housing/transportation insecurity endangering their health. That is why Jason Rosenfeld, DrPH, MPH, and Melanie Stone, DrPH (c), MPH, MEd are helping build Health Confianza – a partnership between UT Health San Antonio, The University of Texas San Antonio, and the San Antonio ...
