Search Results for "rural"

Helping Latino Cancer Survivors (and Caregivers) Be More Active


Helping Latino Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Be More Active - exercise 1

Physical activity can have many benefits for cancer survivors, from improving their quality of life to potentially making it less likely that their disease will come back. Yet studies have shown that many cancer survivors struggle to get the recommended levels of physical activity, particularly those affected by health inequities. Now, according to the results of a new study, a program in Texas has shown it can get these cancer survivors moving more by supporting them in the communities where they live, and by getting their caregivers to become more active as well. The cancer survivors and caregivers, who were mostly Latino, were participants in a 12-week program called Active Living After Cancer. After completing the program, the percentage of survivors getting recommended ...

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State of Substance Use Treatment Among Latinos


Group of Multiethnic Millennial People talking about their addiction

Drug misuse continues to be a pervasive problem in the US. Use of illicit drugs can have disastrous health consequences, especially for disadvantaged 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 ...

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Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa: Lung Surgeon and Chancellor of The University of Texas System



Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa, UT Health San Antonio’s Malú and Carlos Alvarez Center for Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Innovation Director, still remembers the greatest gift he’s ever received.   It didn’t come in the form of an award, a plaque, certificate, or even a baked good.  It came from a 6-year-old patient.   Cigarroa was astonished when the girl he had operated on a few months prior opened her mouth to sing a song meant especially for him.   He cried.  “To this day it’s still the most beautiful gift I’ve ever gotten, and she had the voice of an angel,” Cigarroa recalled. “Sometimes the greatest gifts come in the most unexpected ways.”  Cigarroa has held many titles over the course of his illustrious career, including being ...

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National Latino Physician Day: Spotlighting Healthcare, Education Disparities


National Latino Physician Day 2024

Latinos currently make up 19.5% of the US population.  Yet only 7% of physicians are Latino, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).  What’s more, only 2% of the 7% are Latina, according to the publication Latina Women in the U.S. Physician Workforce: Opportunities in the Pursuit of Health Equity.  Latino representation is vital to achieve health equity for all patients, including Latinos.  This glaring disparity can increase instances of racial and ethnic bias, delay preventative care, influence what kind of treatment someone receives, and cause a stronger mistrust of the healthcare system – all of which can disastrously impact Latino health.   During Hispanic Heritage Month we are honoring Latino physicians on National Latino Physician ...

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11 ‘Must See’ Movies that Celebrate Latino History and Culture


Three generation family family sitting on the sofa in living room, watching TV and eating popcorn

When you look up at the movie screen, what do you see?  Do you see someone who looks like you? Do you see someone you can relate to? Do you hear someone who speaks like you do?  Everyone deserves to be represented as the hero of the story, but for decades Latinos and Latino stories have been often left out by Hollywood.  However, some stories have come along to break the mold and rewrite what it means to be a Latino in the film industry.   Pioneers have given Latino movie creators and artists pathways to come up with stories that celebrate and honor the diversity of Latino culture.  These stories offer a deeper insight into the Latino experience and the challenges many must overcome to reach their dreams.  From animated box office hits that uplift to biopics that ...

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State of Illicit Drug Use Among Latinos


Drug and alcohol addict sitting alone

Illicit drug use continues to be a pervasive problem in the US.   Use of illicit drugs can have disastrous health consequences, especially for disadvantaged 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 ...

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Over Half of US Latinos Consume News in English



Latinos make up 19.5% of the US population, which equates to 65 million people.  As of 2023, about 75% of Latinos living in the US speak Spanish, 17% speak English, and over half (54%) of the Latino population in the US fall somewhere on the bilingual spectrum.     Despite Spanish being the second-most spoken language in the US, a new report by the Pew Research Center found that found that 54% Latino adults get their news in English.   Let’s explore the news media habits of US Latinos further.  Latino News Consumption by Language  While 54% of US adult Latinos receive news in English, the rest consume news in mostly Spanish (21%) or in both languages (23%), according to the report.   When it comes to preferability, 51% of Latino adults prefer news in English, 24% ...

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US Latino Population Rises to 19.5%



Latinos continue to be one of the fastest growing populations in the US.   Between 2022 and 2023, Latinos accounted for 71% of the population growth in the US, according to new data from the US Census Bureau.   Latinos now make up 19.5% of the country’s population.   The rise, occurring at an annual growth of 1.8% and attributed to a large number of births, makes Latinos the second largest racial/ethnic group in the US.    Let’s unpack some of the statistics and what they mean for the future of Latinos.  US Latino Population Growth  In 2023, the Latino population grew by 1.16 million for a total of 65 million.   Latinos contributed significantly to the overall population growth in the US, which increased by 1.64 million.  “The Hispanic population is ...

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Gun Violence Is a Public Health Crisis



327 people in the US are shot every day — 117 don’t survive, according to statistics provided by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.   Incidents of gun violence have been on the rise over the last decade, impacting the lives of 54% of US adults and their families.   With spike in gun-related deaths, including suicides, homicides, and accidental deaths, gun violence has now become the leading cause of death among children and adolescents.   In the wake of mass shootings, gun-related suicides, and the mounting fear over gun violence, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared gun violence in the US a public health crisis on June 25, 2024.  “Firearm violence is an urgent public health crisis that has led to loss of life, unimaginable pain, and ...

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