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 assistance.

GET THE ACTION PACK!

Why Are NMDoH Resources Important?

In San Antonio, many in the community experience NMDoH-related health issues.

For instance, 6.40% of households do not have a motor vehicle.  Additionally, only 15.1% are near high frequency transit, which is important for people to get to the places the need to go outside of traditional 8-5 hours.

When it comes to access to nutritious food in Bexar County 28.38% of the population has low food access and 19%  of households are food insecure.

All of these factors have effects on our health and securing access to care.

To find local resources – including health screenings, housing assistance, food pantries, transportation assistance, and more – use the Salud America! “Help People Solve Their NMDoH Problems in San Antonio” Action Pack.

GET THE ACTION PACK!

How to Use the NMDoH Community Resource Toolkit Action Pack

Use this Salud America! action pack to find community resources that provide and assist with accessing important resources.

1. Click on the GET THE ACTION PACK button or go here.
2. Follow the steps in the action pack, including “Figure Out What NMDoH Issues Are Hurting Health in San Antonio” and “Download an NMDoH Community Resource Guide for San Antonio.”
3. Use these materials to address NMDoH issues for yourself, or connect your organization’s social services clients or healthcare patients to resources.
4. Share the Action Pack with a local organization that can use the resource guide to help the community, and/or share with friends, family, and neighbors.

“Health in San Antonio is influenced by the community environment, not only by individual choices,” said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

“When we recognize and address the NMDoH issues in our community, we gain the power to overcome barriers and effect change, leading to a healthier future for all people.”

GET THE ACTION PACK!

The post Help People Solve Their NMDoH Problems in San Antonio! appeared first on Salud America.

That’s where screening for the non-medical drivers of health (NMDoH) comes in.

Screening for the non-medical drivers of health is a questionnaire given to patients in a healthcare setting to help providers identify their needs. These include issues like financial hardship, housing, and food.

Patients can then be referred to helpful community resources.

You can use the new Salud America! Action Pack, “How to Start Screening for the Non-Medical Drivers of Health,” to launch screening in your clinic, hospital, or healthcare system!

The action pack, created by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez at UT Health San Antonio, has a conversation-starting model email, fact sheet, checklist on how to develop screening, and a guide that reviews existing screening tools.

“Screening for the non-medical drivers of health can help clinicians better understand patients, connect patients to community support, and spotlight the root causes of health issues,” said Dr. Ramirez, director of the Salud America! Latino health communication program and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

GET THE ACTION PACK!

Why Do We Need Screening for the Non-Medical Drivers of Health?

Where you live can have a big impact on your health.

Non-medical factors like where we are born, live, work, and age can influence health for better or worse.

Yet the U.S. has struggled to identify and help people with these issues.

In the healthcare setting, screening for the non-medical drivers of health can help systems, hospitals, and clinics to identify and address health-related needs at the individual level. It also has seven other big benefits.

See how screening works for Nemours, FQHCs, and Dallas Children’s!

GET THE ACTION PACK!

How Does This Action Pack Help You Start Screening for Non-Medical Drivers of Health in Healthcare?

The new Action Pack, “How to Start Screening for the Non-Medical Drivers of Health,” can help healthcare teams work to start or refine screening in their settings.

Led by Dr. Ramirez, the Action Pack is a collaboration from the Salud America! program and the ACS Avanzando Center at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

The action pack has these three steps:

1. Start a Conversation for Screening of Non-Medical Drivers of Health in Your Healthcare Setting. Use a model email and guide to engage champions and stakeholders in your healthcare setting — from clinics to hospitals to healthcare systems — to start the conversation for screening.
2. Go Through a Checklist to Develop a Screening Program for the Non-Medical Drivers of Health. Use a checklist to help you think through all the considerations you and your team will need to explore as you develop an screening program. You can also learn from others who have implemented screening.
3. Guide to Select/Adapt Your Screening Tool for the Non-Medical Drivers of Health. Use a guide to select or adapt your screening tool based on a review of existing screening tools.

You can also get technical assistance from a Salud America! action pack coach, who can help customize materials and answer questions.

“Screening for the non-medical drivers of health can help clinicians and non-clinicians identify patients’ immediate needs outside the doctor’s office,” Ramirez said. “This gives them insight into the lived experiences of their patients, which is crucial for them to connect patients to relevant community resources.”

Download the full Action Pack here.

GET THE ACTION PACK!

The post How to Start Screening for the Non-Medical Drivers of Health appeared first on Salud America.

Some describe cancer as a journey, a struggle, or a fight.

For Brittney Millard, a breast cancer diagnosis was a life-changing event that gave her the passion to help other cancer survivors.

“It’s really what’s in your heart. You can [help] people you know in your daily life, just spreading awareness and taking initiative,” Millard said.

Millard, 32, an intern at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, still faced many hardships with her cancer experience.

But now she aims to help others avoid pitfalls she went through.

Let’s learn more about her inspiring story and her goals for helping others.

A Major Life Change

A native of San Antonio, Millard described her childhood as difficult.

Growing up, she didn’t have a strong relationship with her mother and was separated from her father. But today, she says she and her dad have a close, loving relationship.

“Because of that experience, I’m definitely very resourceful, independent, and resilient,” Millard said.

Millard later became a mother herself. She attended college full-time while raising her daughter.

However, she started to feel an unusual, constant pain on an area of her breast.

“My only symptom was pain, and I was very fortunate to have an amazing OBGYN who instantly referred me to get an ultrasound of the area,” Millard said. “I definitely did not assume that it had anything to do with cancer. I thought that maybe it was like a cyst or a fibroid, you know, maybe something going on with hormones.”

The ultrasound results found a mass.

In September 2023, Millard was officially diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I knew right away when my doctor, my OBGYN, called me on the phone, I just instinctively knew that it was cancer,” Millard said.

Standing Up for Her Cancer Care

News of a cancer diagnosis can raise a lot of other issues, like weighing treatment options, finding a care team, and accessing resources and support.

For Millard, she didn’t have help immediately following her diagnosis.

“I didn’t have a medical team to support me. I didn’t have a patient navigator, you know, walking me through the steps to make sure that I get coverage and that I get my appointment at the cancer center,” Millard said.

While it was taxing, Millard did her homework and asked hard questions.

She pushed for the care that she needed.

“I really had to [speak up] for myself. I literally had to fight. Resources came later down the line, but in the beginning, I really did have to do everything for myself,” Millard said.

Finding Out about Her Breast Cancer Gene Mutation

Millard’s doctor also told her she had the breast cancer gene (BRCA gene) mutation.

Every human has both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two different genes that have been found to impact a person’s chances of developing breast cancer.

“When a BRCA gene is mutated, it may no longer be effective at repairing broken DNA and helping to prevent breast cancer. Because of this, people with a BRCA gene mutation are more likely to develop breast cancer, and more likely to develop cancer at a younger age,” according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Millard also didn’t consider how family history plays a role in cancer diagnoses.

If you have a family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, or colorectal cancer, you may have a higher risk for developing these cancers,” according to the CDC.

Her maternal grandmother was also diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age.

“I was completely shocked, because even with that knowledge, I really didn’t know anything about cancer, what it is, what it does in the body. Just hearing the word cancer was very scary for me,” Millard said.

Millard met with a genetic counselor to talk more about her BRCA gene mutation.

“My counselor told me, because of my family history, I should have been getting annual breast imaging in my 20s,” she said. “And I should have received genetic testing at age 18.”

“Most importantly, had I known I had the genetic mutation, I could have dramatically reduced my risk of getting breast cancer through surgical intervention. It is so important to know your family history and get genetic testing.”

Continuing Her Cancer Care, With Support

Once Brittney began receiving cancer care at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, she received help from a social worker.

“[My social worker] was very amazing and very helpful in many different ways, especially with locating different financial resources,” Millard said.

But that wasn’t her only source of aid.

Millard also spoke of her faith and how she found support and motivation following her baptism, involvement with her church, and focusing on her relationship with Jesus.

“Ever since then, I’ve just been filled with an unexplainable amount of peace,” Millard said.

Millard’s family were also a large source of support for her during this time, ensuring they were there for her during treatment.

“My family that lives out of town were also able to take a lot of time away from their personal lives and help me when I had surgery and when I was going through chemotherapy,” Millard said.

Millard underwent a double mastectomy in November 2023, a day before turning 32.

In February 2024, she began chemotherapy and concluded it in June. She rang the bell, post-chemotherapy, with much joy.

“Though I’m finished with chemotherapy, I was offered a targeted therapy, which I agreed to. So, I will be taking an oral medication called LYNPARZA,” Millard said.  “It’s a PARP inhibitor. I’ll be on that for a year to also help reduce my risk of recurrence.”

Finding a Passion in Community Health  

Helping patients and the community is something Millard wanted to pursue.

“I initially was interested in community health because I really wanted to help women that are victims of domestic violence,” she said. “Since I was one and I escaped domestic violence in 2020.”

“I really do want to help them. And now, I guess my passions have really evolved since, you know, going through a cancer diagnosis, I also have a lot of passion towards helping those that have been diagnosed with cancer.”

Millard is working on getting her associates of applied science in community health, along with her community health worker certification.

She also sought an internship.

“We were provided a list of different agencies to choose from and contact if we were interested in an internship, and the IHPR [at UT Health San Antonio] specifically stood out to me because of the involvement helping people with chronic disease, and especially cancer patients, breast cancer patients,” Millard said.

Coincidentally, Millard had previously participated in an IHPR clinical research study.

So far, Millard describes her IHPR internship as “rewarding.” She is inspired by helping and supporting patients as well as coming up with ideas for patient and community outreach.

“I’ve gotten a lot of insight into the world of clinical research and public health, community outreach, health promotion, health education, which I’ve really enjoyed,” Millard said.

Speaking Up for Others

While she has had to speak up for herself, Millard urges others to speak up to find the right resources and support in their cancer journey.

“You have to keep calling. You have to keep trying. You have to try different numbers, different locations to get that information,” she said.

Today, Millard wants to ensure others find support and resources.

She wants to be a supporter for other cancer survivors.

“[Speak up is] something I definitely feel that all of us should do,” Millard said.

While her journey wasn’t always easy, Millard always tries to have gratitude.

“Sometimes, when we’re overwhelmed by a diagnosis like breast cancer, it can be very difficult to appreciate the small things in life, but gratitude and positivity really does make a difference,” Millard said.

Similarly, Millard stressed the importance of doing research and knowing what resources are available for patients.

“Cancer is very unpredictable, and you don’t know how long it may take to heal from a surgery or how many complications may occur. So, it’s important to be aware of the resources available to you and take advantage of those,” she said.

While everyone is impacted by cancer differently, Millard maintains a positive attitude and urges others to try their best to do the same.

“Don’t let cancer define you. You’re more than cancer. Your diagnosis does not define who you are, try not to let cancer overrun and take over your life,” she said.

The Importance of Clinical Research

Like Millard, you can help other cancer survivors by participating in clinical trials.

Clinical trials are studies with volunteers that explore ways to find, prevent, and treat diseases. The Salud America! program is uplifting open clinical trials, sharing stories about Latinos who have participated, and more.

“Latinos who participate in clinical trials have the potential to help themselves and contribute to the development of new treatments for people in the future,” said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! at the IHPR at UT Health San Antonio.

Those looking for clinical trial opportunities based in San Antonio can search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.

On a national level, visit clinicaltrials.gov to find a clinical trial near you.

FIND A CLINICAL TRIAL!

The post Brittney Millard: Helping Patients and Persevering Through Breast Cancer appeared first on Salud America.

How can we reach this ideal, especially as we face high rates of cancer and chronic disease and many people struggle with access to clinical trials, income, health care, food, housing, and other issues?

You’re invited to a webinar series, “Let’s Improve Health in South Texas and Beyond,” a collaboration of the Salud America! program, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, and Genentech.

Here are the three webinars from 2025:

• 3/4/25: The Thing that Could Save Your Life
• 4/23/25: Tipping the Scales toward Health
• 10/8/25: What You Should Know about Your Amazing Liver

Here are the three webinars from 2024:

• 4/25/24: How to Identify and Respond to Local Cancer Needs
• 7/15/24: How to Support Cancer Survivors
• 9/10/24: How to Fight Back Against El Asesino Silencioso

Here are the four webinars from 2023:

• 3/9/23: Busting the Myths and Challenges to Clinical Trials
• 4/5/23: Importance of Biospecimens
• 6/27/23: How to Care for the Caregiver
• 9/20/23: How to Address Non-Medical Drivers of Health in Our Clinics and Systems

Here are the original six webinars from 2021-2022:

• 12/14/21: How to Encourage Latinos and All People to Participate in Clinical Trials
• 2/10/22: Targeting Needs in Efforts to Prevent and Reduce Cancer
• 4/25/22: Overcoming Issues in the Doctor’s Office and Research Studies
• 6/9/22: Men, Why Should You Get Screened for Cancer?
• 8/17/22: Why Should I Think about Joining a Clinical Trial?
• 10/4/22: Ladies, Why Should You Get Screened for Cancer?

“These webinars will help healthcare professionals and the public understand and take action for health in South Texas and beyond,” said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the IHPR at UT Health San Antonio.

2025 Webinar Series: 10/8/25 — What You Should Know about Your Amazing Liver

Your liver is a key to overall health, performing hundreds of essential functions in your body.

Find out the latest in liver health issues and solutions at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “What You Should Know about Your Amazing Liver,” which occurred at 11 a.m. Central on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

This webinar featured expert panelists from Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio, Texas Liver Institute, Genentech, and more to explore the state of liver health in South Texas. Panelists examined the oversized impact of liver disease and liver cancer and its causes among South Texas residents, who are predominantly Latino, and beyond Texas.

Understanding the reasons why this is happening can reveal how to address this health issue and prevent liver cancer among Latinos and the broader population.

watch the webinar!

2025 Webinar Series: 4/23/25 — Tipping the Scales Toward Health

Obesity is a critical risk factor for diabetes and cancer.

We shared the latest in obesity prevention and management at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “Tipping the Scales Toward Health,” at 11 a.m. Central on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

The webinar featured experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, the Metropolitan Health District of the City of San Antonio, and Genentech to explore the issue of obesity and related chronic health conditions like diabetes and related cancers that are impacting South Texas.

Panelists discussed strategies for obesity management, diabetes management, and promoting a healthy weight. They will addressed the non-medical drivers of health and share available resources and support for healthy lifestyles and the prevention of obesity, diabetes, and related cancers.

watch the  webinar!

2025 Webinar Series: 3/4/25 — The Thing that Could Save Your Life

Cancer screening can save lives by detecting cancer early, when it’s most treatable or before it starts.

Watch a webinar about cancer screening at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “The Thing that Could Save Your Life,” which took place at 1 p.m. Central on March 4, 2025.

The webinar featured experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Genentech, and a cancer survivor, who explored available cancer screenings and how to access them in South Texas and beyond.

Panelists examined common myths and challenges to routine cancer screening, including the non-medical drivers of health, and strategies to overcome those myths and challenges. Panelists also shared other cancer prevention strategies from risk reduction and participating in clinical trials.

watch the webinar!

2024 Webinar Series: 9/10/24 — How to Fight El Asesino Silencioso

Some people with cancer face a challenging survivorship journey.

High blood pressure is a silent killer (el asesino silencioso in Spanish) that can spur heart disease and stroke among Latinos and all people.

We addressed heart health at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “How to Fight El Asesino Silencioso,” at 11 a.m. Central on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.

This webinar featured experts from UT Health San Antonio, the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), and Genentech to share resources and relevant tools that families and healthcare workers can use to help prevent, treat, and manage high blood pressure, also called hypertension.

watch the webinar!

2024 Webinar Series: 7/15/24 — How to Support Latino Cancer Survivors

People with cancer face a challenging survivorship journey.

Find new ways to address these cancer survivorship challenges at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “How to Support Cancer Survivors,” at 11 a.m. Central on Monday, July 15, 2024.

The webinar will feature experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Genentech, as well as cancer survivors and safety-net organizations, who will explore cancer among Latinos and all people and how to help them on the road to recovery.

Topics will cover ways patient’s can speak up for themselves, support groups, clinical trials, referrals to resources through screening for non-medical drivers of health, and more.

watch the webinar!

2024 Webinar Series: 4/25/24 — How to Respond to Local Cancer Needs

Do you how cancer impacts your local population? How can you help?

Find new strategies to address the local cancer burden at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “How to Identify and Respond to Local Cancer Needs,” at 10 a.m. Central on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

This webinar featured experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, Genentech, as well as a patient support person, who together explored local cancer issues.

Panelists shared how to strategically listen, engage, and respond to local cancer needs to guide cancer research, care, and outreach tailored to address the needs of local communities.

watch the webinar!

2023 Webinar Series: 3/9/23 — Busting the Myths and Challenges to Clinical Trials

Some people fear becoming a guinea pig.

This webinar will define clinical trials, bust several common myths about clinical trials, and share testimonials of real people who have been through and benefited from clinical trials at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio and beyond.

Panelists will also connect audience members with relevant resources and available opportunities to participate in clinical trials at the Mays Cancer Center to improve enrollment in clinical trials.

watch the webinar recording!

2023 Webinar Series: 4/5/23 — Importance of Biospecimens: Who Is Collecting and How Can You Donate?

This webinar will feature a collection of local and national experts who will promote the donation and collection of biospecimens.

When people donate biospecimens—blood, fluid, or tissue samples—it gives researchers the opportunity to better understand, treat, and prevent medical conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s.

But not many people have heard of it.

This webinar will explore how to increase donation and collection of biospecimens; including pointing to donation opportunities.

watch the webinar recording!

2023 Webinar Series: 6/27/23 — How to Care for the Caregiver

For many people, family is the heart and children are expected to be caregivers for their aging parents.

1 in every 3 U.S. Latino households has at least one family caregiver. These caregivers—mainly women in their 40s—juggle multiple jobs or leave the workforce entirely to enter the respectable but high-stress role of taking care of aging family members, who are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related mental health issues.

Latino experts and caregivers will join this webinar to share how to support caregivers, and ease caregivers’ stress, anxiety, and depression.

watch the webinar recording!

2023 Webinar Series: 9/20/23 — How to Address the Non-Medical Drivers of Health in Our Clinics and Systems

We know some people face issues in a variety of non-medical drivers of health, from housing to income, which make it harder to achieve health, where everyone has a fair opportunity to be their healthiest.

But why aren’t clinics and hospitals systematically checking patients for non-medical drivers of health and connecting them to needed resources?

In this webinar, a panel of experts will share how to consider and implement screening for non-medical drivers of health in a clinic or health system, with connections to community resources.

watch the WEBINAR recording!

10/4/22 Webinar: Ladies, Why Should You Get Screened for Cancer?

People in South Texas have lower cancer screening rates than their peers in the rest of Texas and nation.

This webinar will explore the challenges to screening, demystify the screening tests, and share testimonials of women who have gotten screened.

watch the WEBINAR recording!

8/17/22 Webinar: Why Should I Think about Joining a Clinical Trial?

This webinar will define clinical trials, break down the clinical trial process, explore clinical trials as treatment options, and share testimonials of real people who have been through and benefited from clinical trials at the Mays Cancer Center.

We will also address the non-medical drivers of health that prevent joining a clinical trial, from language to complex paperwork, and how to address those issues through healthy changes. 

watch the recording!

6/9/22 Webinar: Men, Why Should You Get Screened for Cancer?

Men in South Texas have lower cancer screening rates than their peers in the rest of Texas and nation.

This webinar will explore the challenges to screening, demystify the screening tests, and share testimonials of men who have gotten screened.

watch the recording!

4/25/22 Webinar: Overcoming Issues in the Doctor’s Office and Research Studies

Doctors often have involuntary preferences for some patients over others.

This issue, which impacts our understanding and decisions about others beyond our conscious control, can contribute to health conditions in patients.

This webinar will feature guest speakers to help health care professionals understand this issue, “rewire” it toward compassion for patients and research participants, and engage local leaders in implementing training on a greater scale.

watch the recording!

2/10/22 Webinar: Targeting Needs in Efforts to Prevent and Reduce Cancer

This webinar will help health care professionals explore the alarming non-medical drivers of health experienced by their patients and research cohorts in the South Texas community.

Non-medical drivers of health include access to health care, insurance, affordable housing, transportation, education, as well as linguistic challenges.

Webinar panelists also will share how health care leaders can speak up for healthy changes that address the non-medical drivers of health, beyond providing more sensitive care and/or research.

WATCH THE RECORDING!

12/14/21 Webinar: How to Encourage People to Participate in Clinical Trials

Latinos represent 18.5% of the U.S. population, but are far less than 10% of those in federal cancer and drug studies.

This makes it hard for researchers to create treatments that work best for Latinos and all people.

To address this issue, this webinar will help health care professionals understand the lack of participation in clinical trials and explore strategies and actions to improve enrollment in clinical trials that better reflects the makeup of the US population.

WATCH THE RECORDING!

Behind the Webinar Series

The “Let’s Improve Health in South Texas and Beyond” webinar series is a collaboration of the Salud America! program, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, and Genentech.

Salud America! is a national organization that creates relevant and research-based stories, videos, and tools to inspire people to start and support healthy changes where all families can better live, learn, work, and play.

The Mays Cancer Center, also known as the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, has a mission to decrease the burden of cancer in San Antonio, South Texas and beyond. We bring South Texas a level of exceptional care that is comparable with the nation’s most respected programs. More patients put their trust in our program because we have a unique understanding of our community’s cancer care needs. We excel in delivering advanced therapies.

Founded more than 40 years ago as the first biotechnology company, Genentech is dedicated to the rigorous pursuit of science and the development and delivery of life-changing medicines for people facing serious diseases. Headquartered in South San Francisco, California and a proud member of the Roche Group, our community is united by a common purpose and sense of urgency to transform the future of healthcare. Learn more at gene.com.

The post Webinar Series: Let’s Improve Health in South Texas and Beyond appeared first on Salud America.

Clinical trials help us fight for our familia.

Clinical trials are studies that help researchers learn more to help slow, manage, and treat Alzheimer’s and cancer for current and future family members. But without Latino volunteers for clinical trials, the benefits may miss this group.

Visit our clinical trials page to find a clinical trial, read about hero volunteers, and more!

Share your story with us!

“Latinos in clinical trials are not only helping themselves, but they’re also building a future with better treatments that can help their families in the future,” said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research and Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio.

FIND A CLINICAL TRIAL!

Why Volunteer for a Clinical Trial?

We need Latino volunteers for clinical trials because it helps researchers create treatments and solutions tailored for this population.

Just ask Alma Lopez.

Alma has been a breast cancer survivor for more than 15 years.

She believes participating in a clinical trial at UT Health San Antonio helped her get better treatment and better long-term health.

“Clinical trials are great for finding new treatments that help people,” Alma said. “And it helps the scientists. It gives opportunity to better medication for all populations.”

FIND A CLINICAL TRIAL!

How Can You Find Stories about Latino Clinical Trial Volunteers?

Check out our many stories of Latinos who have joined a registry, research program or clinical trial!

• ‘It Helped Me Because I’m Here’: Why Diana Lopez Chose a Clinical Trial
• ‘Maybe I Can Help Somebody Else’: Willie Heard’s Unwavering Faith Through Clinical Trials
• From Fluke to Survivor: How Angelina Vazquez Felsing is Contributing to Latino Cancer Research
• “I Couldn’t Feel More Blessed”: How Amber Lopez Found Hope Through Her Cancer Journey
• Adan Reinosa: Colorectal Cancer Survivor Pays it Forward with Study Participation
• More Than Meets the Eye: How Surviving Colon Cancer Transformed Marielle Santos McLeod’s Advocacy Work

Are you a survivor, too? Share your story with us!

share your story with us!

What Are We Doing to Encourage Latino Volunteers for Clinical Trials?

Ramirez is creating new ways to urge Latinos to volunteer for clinical trials thanks to a grant from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

On our Salud America! website, we are showcasing clinical trials to slow dementia at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio, such as:

• Test Your Memory with the Brain Health Registry!
• Visit UT Health San Antonio’s Glenn Biggs Institute to view their available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.

We also are highlighting clinical trials to slow cancer at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, such as:

• The Avanzando Caminos Clinical Trial to help unpack the social, behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on post-cancer life. (en español)
• The PASS Clinical Trial to better predict prostate cancer outcomes.
• Search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.

Seek a cancer trial anywhere in the nation here.

FIND A CLINICAL TRIAL!

The post Volunteer for a Clinical Trial for Your Familia! appeared first on Salud America.

Secondhand smoke contains over 70 cancer-causing chemicals, and has killed over 2.5 million people. The dangers are especially serious in multifamily housing, where secondhand smoke can travel through doorways, halls, windows, ventilation systems, electrical outlets, and gaps around fixtures.

Download the Salud America! Action Pack “Help Your City Adopt Smoke-Free Multifamily Housing!”

The action pack will help you engage local leaders in exploring a smoke-free multifamily housing policy for common areas and individual units.

“Experts say a smoke-free multifamily housing policy can protect the health of tenants and staff of apartments from secondhand smoke, as well as save property owners money in unit maintenance, fire prevention, insurance, and reduced legal liability,” said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, action pack creator and director of the Salud America! Latino health equity program at UT Health San Antonio.

GET THE ACTION PACK!

Why Is Smoke-Free Multifamily Housing Important?

Over 60 U.S. cities have adopted smoke-free multifamily housing policies.

Also, in 2018, federal leaders implemented a smoke-free policy inside all public housing.

But not all privately owned apartments, condominiums, and duplexes have a smoke-free policy to protect against secondhand smoke exposure.

More than 1 in 3 nonsmokers who live in rental housing are exposed to dangerous secondhand smoke. In addition, 2 in 5 are children—most of whom are children of color, according to the CDC.

“Secondhand smoke moves freely in a building. Just like water from a flood can travel via elevator shafts, stairwells, HVAC systems, wall outlets and other electrical and plumbing openings,” Ramirez said. People in apartment buildings have no choice about breathing secondhand smoke.”

GET THE ACTION PACK!

How Can You Use This Action Pack to Promote Smke-Free Multifamily Housing?

You can use the action pack to:

1. See If Advocates Are Working toward Smoke-Free Multifamily Housing in Your City. Use our model emails to see if local tobacco-free organizations and/or public health advocates are already working toward smoke-free multifamily housing in your city.
2. Contact Local Leaders to Introduce Smoke-Free Multifamily Housing. Use our model email and social messages to ask local leaders or staff to take steps toward a smoke-free multifamily housing policy.
3. Garner Community Support for Smoke-Free Multifamily Housing. Use our model messages to spread the word about the need for smoke-free multifamily housing.

Smoke-free policies are the only way to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke in multifamily units, according to HUD, health experts, and engineering experts.

“At present, the only means of effectively eliminating health risk associated with indoor exposure is to ban smoking activity,” according to a 2010 position statement from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which they reaffirmed in 2019.

GET THE ACTION PACK!

The post Help Your City Adopt Smoke-Free Multifamily Housing! appeared first on Salud America.

Select your county name and get a customized Health Report Card from Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, which shows your area stacks up in housing, transit, poverty, health care, food, and other health issues compared to your state and nation.

The Health Report Card auto-generates local data with interactive maps and comparative gauges, which can help you visualize and explore health issues.

Get your Health Report Card!

“People can easily email their local Health Report Card to decision-makers, share it on social media, and use it to make the case for community change to boost health,” said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of the Salud America! Latino health equity program, based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research in the Department of Population Health Sciences at UT Health San Antonio.

Salud America!‘s Health Report Card uses databases from the University of Missouri’s Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems.

Each report card includes local data, maps, and gauges on:

• Housing: Cost-burdened, substandard, affordability, mortgage lending.
• Schools: Graduation, reading proficiency, Head Start enrollment, etc.
• Transportation: Commute times, car-less households, crash mortality.
• Food: Food deserts, food access, food insecurity, fast food, grocery, SNAP.
• Environment: Population density, tree canopy, air toxin exposure, etc.
• Socioeconomic status: Income, poverty, no high-school diploma, violent crime.
• Health care: Uninsured, access to primary, prenatal, mental health, and dental care.
• Physical and mental health: Diabetes, heart disease, obesity, asthma, cancer, premature death, Alzheimer’s, depression, social-emotional support.
• Other issues: Poverty, obesity, median household income, high-school diplomas, lack of health insurance, teen birth rates, asthma, infant mortality, cancer mortality, and motor vehicle crash deaths.

For example, the Health Report Card for Bexar County, Texas, shows a greater percentage of Bexar County residents are severely housing cost-burdened, face substandard housing conditions, and would have to work 49 hours a week to afford the average-priced two-bedroom home.

Fortunately, each Health Report Card also contains links to research and emerging ways local communities are addressing health issues.

“People can use these report cards to identify gaps in health, spur ideas for healthy change, push policymakers for action, and get data for research and proposals,” Ramirez said.

Get your Health Report Card!

The post Discover the State of Health in Your Community! appeared first on Salud America.

These kids still have to go to class or carry on while school is out for summer or due to a pandemic. They face a burden of stress and trauma that can interfere with their behavior and grades—and schools often aren’t even aware there’s an issue.

Fortunately, you can still help these kids.

Download the free Salud America! “Handle With Care Action Pack.”

The Action Pack helps police, school, and mental healthcare leaders start the Handle with Care program, in which police notify schools when they encounter children at a toughscene, so schools can provide support right away. They can virtually support kids if school is out for summer or closed due to a pandemic.

GET THE ACTION PACK!

The Action Pack was created by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of the Salud America! Latino health equity program at UT Health San Antonio. Andrea Darr, of the West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice, which launched Handle With Care, provided support.

“When police come across kids at a scene of domestic violence, drug raid, or accident, they send school districts a simple heads up. They send the child’s name, age, and school, with a simple message to ‘Handle With Care,’” said Darr. No confidential or incident information is shared. “Schools prepare to give support and connect those kids and families to any needed support services.”

With the Action Pack, you can start Handle With Care in 5 steps:

1. Start the Conversation for Handle With Care. Use our model emails and talking points to engage decision-makers about the need for Handle With Care. Start the conversation even if school is closed for summer or a pandemic.
2. Create a Group and a Vision. Use our guide and materials to plan, invite people to, and conduct a virtual community meeting to plan your Handle With Care program.
3. Create Your Notification Flow. Use the model notification system to create your Handle With Care Notification Flow from police to schools. For example, most use email, text or police dispatch to send notifications with the child’s name, age, school, and a simple message to “Handle With Care” (they share no confidential or police incident info).
4. Implement Your Handle With Care Program. Use our sample materials to train (in person or virtually) police, school, and mental healthcare personnel to implement Handle With Care.
5. Promote the Program. Use our model news release and sharable social media materials to raise awareness of your program in your community.

Handle With Care has begun in over 65 U.S. cities, including a pilot in San Antonio.

“We believe our Action Pack will unite police, schools, and mental health leaders to support students,” Ramirez said. “Even with school closed, Handle With Care can enable students achieve academically and emotionally at their highest level, while helping prevent future risky behavior and chronic disease.”

GET THE ACTION PACK!

The post Start ‘Handle With Care’ to Help Kids Who Face Issues at Home! appeared first on Salud America.

Eight out of 10 food ads seen by Latino children on Spanish-language TV promote fast food, candy, sugary drinks, and snacks.

Unhealthy food marketing aimed at youth is a contributor to poor diets and related diseases, like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Targeting Latino and Black youth with unhealthy marketing contributes to disparities in health.

That’s why the UConn Rudd Center first explored food-related TV advertising in 2013.

Since then, the 10 companies with the most targeted advertising spending have launched or expanded corporate responsibility initiatives to promote nutrition and/or health and wellness, such as introducing new healthier products, reformulating existing products, and launching nutrition and healthy lifestyles education campaigns.

But did these companies make changes in their targeted advertising to also support health and wellness among Latino and Black consumers?

In January 2019, the Rudd Center analyzed targeted marketing of 32 companies and released a new report examining trends from 2013 to 2017 and targeted marketing by company, brand, and product category.

Junk Food Ads Rise from 2013 to 2017

Restaurants and packaged food and beverage companies spent $787 million on advertising on Spanish-language TV and $333 million on Black-targeted TV.

In 2017, Black children viewed 86% more and Black teens viewed 119% more food ads than their White peers viewed. This disparity in ads viewed is due to increased spending on Black-targeted TV advertising, differences in time spent watching TV, and differences in types of TV programming viewed.

Coca-Cola and Nestle more than doubled their Spanish-language advertising from 2013 to 2017, and nearly all companies increased their spending on Black-targeted TV from 2013 to 2017.

“This report shows just how much the food and beverage industry values Hispanic consumers when it comes to encouraging them to buy unhealthy products. But if the industry really values these consumers, companies will take responsibility for advertising that encourages poor diet and related diseases. They can start by eliminating the marketing of unhealthy products to Hispanic youth and families,” said Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, MPH, study author and director of Salud America! at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

Targeting by Company

Food-related ads on Black-targeted and Spanish-language TV programming continue to almost exclusively promote unhealthy food and drinks.

Mars, Nestle, and Post Consumer Brands all spent more than one-quarter of their TV advertising budgets on Spanish-language TV.

Mars, McDonald’s, Nestle, Coca-Cola, and Subway each spent more than $45 million in Spanish-language advertising.

Dannon and Wonderful spent the least to advertise on Spanish-language TV and Black-targeted TV; however, these two companies offer primarily healthy products, including yogurt, fruit, and nut brands.

Top Targeted Brands

Two-thirds of the 236 highly advertised brands examined targeted Black and/or Latino consumers.

For example, 20 of 22 restaurant brands targeted Latino and/or Black consumers, with McDonald’s, Subway, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell ranking at the top in advertising on Spanish-language TV, and Taco Bell, Domino’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Arby’s ranking at the top in advertising on Black-targeted TV.

Coca-Cola Classic, M&Ms and Big G Cereals had the highest spending on Spanish-language TV and Lipton Iced Tea, Lay’s Potato Chips, Sprite, and Doritos had the highest spending on Black-targeted programming.

Big G Cereals, Pop Tarts, Extra gum, Special K cereal, and Lean Cuisine Marketplace Frozen Entrees invested 40% or more of their advertising budgets on Spanish-language TV.

Product Category

Restaurants (primarily fast food) represented 49% of spending on Spanish-language TV and 50% of Black-targeted TV advertising spending.

Although only representing 28% of all food-related advertising spending, candy (including gum and mints), sugary drinks, and savory and sweet snacks represented 33% of spending on Spanish-language TV and 36% on Black-targeted TV.

More than 70% of sugary drink and snack brands and 90% of restaurant and candy brands were significantly more likely to target Latino and Black consumers.

More than 80% of food-related ads viewed by Latino children and teens on Spanish-language TV were brands in these categories.

Latino children’s exposure to restaurant ads (again, primarily fast food) on Spanish-language TV increased by 8%, while restaurant ads viewed by Black children on all TV increased by 30%.

Approximately 20% of food-related TV ads viewed by Latino children and teens on Spanish-language TV were for candy.

In addition to seeing more ads for unhealthy foods, Latino and Black children and teens saw fewer ads for healthy foods.

Brands in the healthiest product categories (juice, water, nuts, and fruit) did not advertise at all on Spanish-language TV, and water, fruit, and nut brands did not target Black consumers.

Although targeted marketing is not problematic in and of itself, target advertising for products that are high in sugar, fat, sodium, and calories to Latino and Black consumers is a public health issue.

For example, Latino children and teens saw no ads for juice, water, nuts, or fruit on Spanish-language TV; however, these youth are disproportionately affected by diet-related diseases, like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

“It is unclear why companies with diverse portfolios of healthy and unhealthy brands in multiple categories almost exclusively target Latino and Black consumers with ads for their unhealthy brands,” the authors state.

Particularly when these companies publicize corporate responsibility initiatives to promote nutrition and/or health and wellness, many of which promote sponsorships and scholarships aimed at communities of color.

Recommendations

Although a growing number of obesity prevention policies and actions have been implemented to counteract unhealthy marketing, these measures do not address unhealthy marketing directly targeted to Latino and Black youth.

The one entity that exists to reduce unhealthy advertising to children under age 12 is the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI). CFBAI is a voluntary food industry self-regulatory program through which participating companies pledge to only advertise healthier choices in child-directed media.

However, many of the companies examined in this report participate in CFBAI, which suggests that voluntary regulation is failing to protect youths of color from youth-targeted brands.

“We continue to call on food manufacturers to market healthy products to Black and Latino consumers and for fast-food, candy, sugary drink, and unhealthy snack food brands to stop disproportionately targeting their advertising in Spanish-language and Black-targeted media,” the authors state.

This report highlights the need for extensive action to reduce targeted marketing to Latino and Black youth:

• Companies that participate in the CFBAI must address loopholes that allow them to continue to target marketing of unhealthy products to children, including raising the age of children covered by pledges to at least 14 years old and implementing other recommendations from public health experts.
• The CFBAI should specifically limit targeted marketing of unhealthy products directly to Black and Latino children.
• Sugary drink, candy, and nutritionally poor snack food brands and fast-food restaurants – food and beverage categories that have been shown to directly contribute to obesity and other diet-related diseases among youth – should stop targeting advertising to all young people under 18, including multicultural youth.
• Corporate responsibility initiatives to promote nutrition and/or health and wellness should also address targeted marketing of unhealthy products to communities of colors and commit to discontinuing practices that contribute to diet-related diseases in these communities.
• Media companies that own programming with large audiences of Latino and/or Black youth should take action to improve the nutritional quality of foods advertised during targeted programming.
• Media companies should establish nutrition standards for products advertised to youth on their Black- and Latino-targeted programming that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Public health advocacy campaigns should focus on improving marketing practices of companies that disproportionately target Latino and Black youth.
• Public health advocacy campaigns should explore opportunities to engage youth of color in campaigns to address targeted food marketing as a social justice issue.
• Latino and Black consumers could demand that companies improve the quality of foods marketed to their children and in their communities.

As examples of actions around food and drink marketing, sugary drink price increases continues to gain momentum, alongside other bold strategies. London plans to ban ads for unhealthy food on public transportation in February 2019, as a way to reduce rising obesity rates.

The Berkeley Media Studies Group also has a helpful guide on how to frame junk food marketing as a health equity issue.

Download the new Rudd Center report to learn more.

The post Report: Junk Food Advertised More to Latino, Black Kids appeared first on Salud America.

They don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

Fortunately, your school can help these students!

The new Salud America! “School Food Pantry Action Pack” is a free guide to help school personnel talk to decision-makers, work through logistics, and start a School Food Pantry to help hungry students and reduce local food insecurity.

A School Food Pantry accepts, stores, and redistributes donated and leftover food to students.

The Action Pack was created by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Ramirez had input from Jenny Arredondo, nutrition director at San Antonio ISD, who started school food pantries on 10 campuses in 2017-18, based on a Texas law change led by Diego Bernal.

Get the Action Pack!

With the Action Pack, you can start a School Food Pantry in four steps:

• Start the Conversation. Use our model emails and talking points to talk to decision-makers about the need for School Food Pantries.
• Build Support. Use our model letter campaign, handout, emails, and presentation to build support for your pantry.
• Plan and Implement a Pantry. Use our “Quick Guide” and real templates from San Antonio ISD—which implemented 10 School Food Pantries—to craft your own.
• Promote Your Pantry. Use our printable signs and sharable social media graphics to alert students, parents, and the community to your big change.

“A School Food Pantry can save leftover cafeteria food from being wasted, and redistribute it to students who are hungry and food insecure,” Ramirez said. “It’s a win-win for schools, students, and families.”

Get the Action Pack!

The post New Action Pack: How to Start a School Food Pantry appeared first on Salud America.

How can schools support and help students dealing with these issues?

The new Salud America! “Help Your School Support Students Action Pack” is a free guide with coaching to help school personnel talk to decision-makers, build a support team, craft a system to identify and support students, and more!

The Action Pack was created by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of the Salud America! Latino health program at UT Health San Antonio, with input from John Hernandez, who created a unique system to help support students at East Central ISD in San Antonio.

Get the Action Pack!

The Action Pack helps school personnel in five key areas:

• Start the Conversation. Use Salud America! model emails and talking points to start the conversation about student support with school decision-makers.
• Create a Group & Vision. Use Salud America! model emails, presentations, and guides to start a task force and build your vision.
• Take Immediate Action. Support Tracking System. Use real school templates from John Hernandez, student services director at East Central ISD. Hernandez utilized the district’s own software to create a system with protocols to monitor and connect students to help and resources.
• Take Long-Term Action. Comprehensive Support. Use the Salud America! guide to plan additional action that will best support students in your district.
• Raise Awareness. Use Salud America! model emails, social media posts, and presentations to share your new system.

“A school can help students gain coping skills, build resiliency, form strong relationships, develop a healthy self-image, and manage stress and emotion,” Ramirez said.

Get the Action Pack!

The post New Action Pack: Help Your School Support Students! appeared first on Salud America.

Each person, family, and disability type has its own unique set of challenges and needs.  

But as an overlooked population, Texans with disabilities and their families continue to slip through healthcare cracks across the state.  

To better serve this population, Baylor University researchers have launched the Raising Texas Voices study to collect the stories of more than 4,000 Texans with disabilities, their families, and the professionals and providers who serve them. 

Learn about the study, what it entails, and how it will help individuals, families, caregivers, and providers better serve Texans with disabilities.  

Sign up! 

Raising Texas Voices 

Sometimes stories speak louder than numbers. 

Stories paint a vibrant picture of what someone is going through. 

They give us anecdotal context that numbers can’t quantify, they empower and uplift, and they inspire real world change.  

By collecting stories from over 4,000 Texans with disabilities, their families, and the professionals and providers who serve them, the study team hopes to “learn what matters most to people with disabilities and their families in the areas of language, advocacy, and learning pathways,” according to the study’s website.  

This research in lived experiences will help identify priorities, challenges, and opportunities that can inform stronger, more effective advocacy efforts in Texas, researchers say. 

sign up!

How to Share Your Story with Raising Texas Voices 

To share your story with the Raising Texas Voices study, you must live in Texas, be 18 or older, have a disability, or be a parent/caregiver or sibling of a person with a disability.  

As part of the study, you will be asked to complete a short survey. 

The survey questions differ depending on the participant’s relationship to the person with a disability or if the participant is an adult with a disability.  

For parents of someone with a disability or caregivers, the questions focus on “hopes for your child (of any age), your experiences and feelings related to advocacy, the ways you like to learn, and the ways you prefer to talk about disability,” according to the survey handout.  

The questions for siblings range from experiences to ways they’ve been impacted by their sibling.  

Adults with disabilities will be asked about the ways they talk about their disability, advocacy experiences, and the ways they prefer to learn as well as background information. 

The information gleaned from these surveys will be used to strengthen advocacy programs, improve resources for individuals and families, and support advocacy work across the state. 

For those looking to help promote the study, visit the study website for resources and printable flyers.  

Questions regarding the study or participation can be directed to Kari Maddox at kari_maddox1@baylor.edu or 254-710-6167. 

sign up!

About the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing  

The study is led by Baylor University’s Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, which conducts research to benefit individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. 

They look at disability on a theological, phycological, educational, and health-related level with research that seeks to improve these communities and create a stronger sense of belonging. Studies focus on impacts ranging from social to religious. 

The research is translated to community impact by creating resources and training that help build stronger communities.  

Learn more about the center and their work to improve and support the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers on the center’s website.  

What does health care look like where you live?  

What kind of health care inconsistencies are plaguing 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 rest of your state and nation.   

Then email the Report Card to local leaders to raise awareness, include the data in a presentation or grant proposal, or share it on social media to drive healthy changes in your community!  

GET YOUR HEALTH REPORT CARD!

The post Texans With Disabilities: Share Your Story Now! appeared first on Salud America.

To help your family and community deal with this issue, join a new presentation, “Brain Cancer Awareness,” at 11 a.m. Central on June 18, 2026.

The presentation will feature Dr. Andrew Brenner, a brain health expert and professor of medicine at UT Health San Antonio. He will discuss what brain cancer is, risks and myths, recognizing symptoms, and the importance of early intervention.

The presentation is part of the “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” webinar series, a collaboration of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) at UT Health San Antonio.

register for the presentation!

Learn about the Speaker for this Presentation on Brain Health

Andrew J Brenner, MD, PhD, is professor of medicine at UT Health San Antonio.

A specialist in both breast cancer and malignancies of the brain and spinal cord, Dr. Brenner not only focuses on clinical management, but also on the development of novel therapies to treat breast cancers and central nervous system tumors.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, he earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and went on to earn his doctorate in biological science and tumor biology at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center – Science Park. His doctoral thesis focused on the role of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p16INK4a in mammary tumorigenesis and immortalization.

Dr. Brenner received his medical degree from the Texas Tech University Health Science Center and completed a residency in internal medicine at Scott and White Hospital in Lubbock. He completed his fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Brenner’s current interests have transitioned from cell cycle to the effect of hypoxia on chemokines and escape from antiangiogenics and the role of obesity in promoting breast tumorigenesis.

register for the presentation!

Behind the Webinar Series on South Texas Community Conversations

The “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” webinar series is a collaboration of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (MRGB AHEC) and Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Engagement and Outreach at UT Health San Antonio.

The MRGB AHEC was established in 1993 and is in Laredo, Texas. Since then, it has served Webb, Zapata, La Salle, Duval, Jim Hogg, and Dimmit Counties. In 2022, services expanded to include Willacy and Starr counties.

The Mays Cancer Center, also called the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, has a mission to decrease the burden of cancer in San Antonio, South Texas and beyond. We bring South Texas a level of exceptional research and care that is comparable with the nation’s most respected programs. More patients put their trust in our program because we have a unique understanding of our community’s cancer care needs. We excel in delivering advanced therapies.

Salud America! is a national health communication organization that creates relevant and research-based stories, videos, and tools to inspire people to start and support healthy changes where all families can live, learn, work, and play. The program is led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez. Dr. Ramirez is chair and professor of Population Health Sciences and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She also leads  the office of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

register for the presentation!

The post Webinar: How Could Brain Cancer Impact Your Family in South Texas? appeared first on Salud America.

To improve cancer education and care for these communities, the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (MRGB AHEC) is launching the “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” in collaboration with the UT Health San Antonio Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE).

The series will feature cancer-education webinars in June (brain), July (bone), September (prostate), and November (pancreas).

“All cancers are equally important. They all impact on the quality of life for the individual, family, and community. The research shows that the earlier the detection, the earlier the treatment. Therefore, providing education on these types of cancer could lead to saving lives,” said Dr. Julie Bazan, MRGB AHEC Director.

About the South Texas Region

The MRGB AHEC, located in Laredo, Texas, serves Webb, Zapata, La Salle, Duval, Jim Hogg, Willacy, Starr, and Dimmit Counties.

The MRGB AHEC primarily serves Hispanic populations, often making up 85% to 95% of the total, depending on the county.

Many counties in this region fall between 25% and 40%, with Starr, Zapata, Dimmit, and Jim Hogg among the highest‑poverty counties in the state.

Multiple counties are designated as medically underserved. Insurance coverage is lower than the statewide average.

The uninsured rate varies between 25% and 38% across different counties.

“The MRGB AHEC team was inspired to launch an initiative aimed at providing ongoing education and information about available services for residents in the region,” Bazan said.

“Given the limited availability of specialty services, and in some cases the absence of such services, the MRGB AHEC recognized the opportunity to collaborate with the Mays Cancer Center. This collaboration resulted in a free service designed to connect residents with information, services, education, and access to cancer care.”

Webinar 1: Brain Cancer in South Texas

While rates for brain cancer in South Texas are lower compared to others like breast and lung cancers, populations in South Texas, especially Latinos, face challenges in aspects like early detection, non-medical drivers of health, and health outcomes.

rEgister for the presentation!

Webinar 2: Bone Cancer in South Texas

A 2025 study found that in certain parts of South Texas, individuals are more likely to develop primary malignant bone neoplasms, cancerous tumors that originate directly in the bone or its surrounding cartilage.

Learn more about bone cancer and how it impacts the South Texas community.

SAVE THE DATE: July 2026

Webinar 3: Prostate Cancer in South Texas

In September, the presentation series will focus on prostate cancer.

In Texas, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. In addition, Latinos in Webb County and the Lower Rio Grande Valley region had significantly higher incidence rates of prostate cancer than those in South Texas overall, research states.

Explore prostate cancer and how it affects populations in South Texas.

SAVE THE DATE: September 2026

Webinar 4: Pancreatic Cancer in South Texas

In 2026, an estimated 67,530 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in the United States.

Hear from experts on pancreatic cancer and what steps to take to prevent and detect it early.

SAVE THE DATE: November 2026

Behind the Webinar Series on South Texas Community Conversations

The “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” webinar series is a collaboration of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (MRGB AHEC) and Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Engagement and Outreach at UT Health San Antonio.

The MRGB AHEC was established in 1993 and is in Laredo, Texas. Since then, it has served Webb, Zapata, La Salle, Duval, Jim Hogg, and Dimmit Counties. In 2022, services expanded to include Willacy and Starr counties.

The Mays Cancer Center, also called the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, has a mission to decrease the burden of cancer in San Antonio, South Texas and beyond. We bring South Texas a level of exceptional research and care that is comparable with the nation’s most respected programs. More patients put their trust in our program because we have a unique understanding of our community’s cancer care needs. We excel in delivering advanced therapies.

Salud America! is a national health communication organization that creates relevant and research-based stories, videos, and tools to inspire people to start and support healthy changes where all families can live, learn, work, and play. The program is led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez. Dr. Ramirez is chair and professor of Population Health Sciences and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She also leads  the office of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

The post Launching the “Every Cancer, Every Story” Webinar Series for South Texas appeared first on Salud America.

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.  

Submit a model comment created by Salud America! to tell EPA to maintain protections for safe drinking water to ensure the health and wellbeing of Americans.  

The comment period, which opened May 20, 2026, ends July 20, 2026.  

Submit This Model Comment to Protect Drinking Water from Forever Chemicals 

To EPA leaders, 

I’m writing to urge the EPA to not rescind or delay previously approved regulations that protect Americans from ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water. 

This landmark decision was poised to significantly reduce the harmful health and environmental effects of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), their salts, and their structural isomers for millions of Americans. 

These pollutants have been linked to reproductive and developmental challenges, increased risk for cancer, reduced immune system response, and more. 

Many people, including Latinos, are impacted by these health conditions. 

In fact, cancer continues to be a top cause of death for Latinos (https://bit.ly/43wO12u). Additionally, many Latinos live in areas that have a high presence of pollution, which has been known to lead to asthma and obesity (https://bit.ly/4cCrVzI). 

These communities already face many health conditions, and their risk of contaminated drinking water will only increase if these regulations are rescinded or postponed.  

Rural communities across the country are already seeing environmental changes due to an uptick in data centers, which use these pollutants in their cooling systems, and have the potential to cause damage to water supplies, including drinking water. 

The existence of ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water poses a major public health risk for myself, my familia, and my community.  

We can’t afford to wait for another opportunity to act against chemicals that have caused undue harm to countless lives.  

I’m appealing to the EPA to consider the danger that rescinding these regulations or delaying compliance will have on American lives as more PFAS are pumped into water supplies with no lawful recourse to prevent it.  

Submit comment!

Current PFAS Drinking Water Standard 

In 2023, the EPA proposed a new federal standard to limit PFAS in drinking water. 

After nearly a year-long public comment period, the EPA received 121,969 comments — 832 of them from Salud America! members who supported the regulation. 

On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced its final ruling on the first-ever PFAS drinking water standard in the country, requiring public water systems to monitor and reduce PFAS levels, according to a White House news release. 

If PFAS exceeds a certain level (4.0 parts per trillion), these water systems will have to notify the public. 

The 2024 final rule is applicable to five types of PFAS, including two of the most common PFAS —PFOA and PFOS, which can be found in packaging, carpeting, and more. 

In addition, the EPA is limiting combinations of four types of PFAS, including chemicals known as GenX chemicals, which can be found in cleaning products and non-stick coatings. 

“This standard will reduce PFAS exposure in our drinking water to the lowest levels that are feasible for effective nationwide implementation,” according to the news release. 

To help meet the 2024-approved standard, the former presidential administration pledged to give states funding for PFAS detection and treatment systems while investing in other safe drinking water measures throughout the country. 

The final ruling was the first-ever Safe Drinking Water Act standard for PFAS – the first time any new contaminants have been added since 1996, according to the White House. 

The implementation deadline for the final rule was slated for April 26, 2029.  

submit comment!

New EPA Proposed Rules on PFAS in Drinking Water 

These regulations are now in danger of changing or disappearing altogether. 

The EPA is revisiting its 2024 final ruling on drinking water regulations after concerns were raised about the regulatory process by the current federal administration.  

The agency is now faced with the decision to uphold the final rule already in place or remove PFAS limits on drinking water for millions nationwide. 

As part of the regulatory process, the EPA is once again calling for public comment to weigh in on the matter.  

What’s more, a separate proposed rule by the EPA could extend the compliance deadline from April 26, 2029, to April 26, 2031, giving water systems an additional two years to meet the new standards. 

The changed compliance time would inevitably delay the health benefits that limiting these chemicals in drinking water would give millions of Americans.  

These two proposed rules have caused a huge setback on the path toward access to safer drinking water for all. 

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Why is the Drinking Water Standard Needed? 

The EPA says that the standard protects 100 million Americans from PFAS and prevents tens of thousands of illnesses and deaths associated with PFAS exposure. 

PFAS have existed since the 1940s and can be found in many common products, such as firefighting foam, adhesives, and food packaging like grease liners in pizza boxes or microwave popcorn bags. 

These types of chemicals are notoriously impervious to environmental degradation, making them more difficult to dispose of and break down over time, hence the nickname “forever chemicals.” 

It also makes it easier for these chemicals to find their way into water supplies in communities located near chemical waste plants. 

Lately, contaminants have been making their way into water supplies due to water usage from large data centers, which have been springing up across rural America to meet the demand for AI and other meta data.  

Some of these centers use advanced cooling systems that include the use of cooling fluids and refrigerants, which can include forever chemicals. 

As these centers continue to grow, there have been numerous reports of visibly unclean water and incidences of low water pressure or no water at all.  

The most recent comes out of Morgan County, Georgia, where residents have experienced dirty well water as a new data center is being built.  

“I’m afraid to drink the water, but I still cook with it, and brush my teeth with it,” Mansfield, Georgia resident Beverly Morris told BBC News. “Am I worried about it? Yes.” 

This drew the attention of federal lawmakers and made its way into national headlines when U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held up a jar of dirty water she obtained by a resident.  

“This is not just inconvenience,” she said during the hearing. “This is a basic public health issue.” 

Retaining the 2024-approved EPA final ruling could make a huge difference in the health of communities experiencing water hardship and hold these large corporations accountable for the health and safety of nearby residents.   

“All communities deserve to have safe, clean water. Yet the ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAS threaten the health and wellbeing of one-third of Americans,” said Michael McAfee, President and CEO of PolicyLink. 

“We cannot place the cost of this contamination and impacts to public health on [communities already facing hardship]. For our water systems and infrastructure to [be improved], we need the federal government to set clear standards in the interest of public and environmental health, to support our critical water utilities in their efforts to clean and transport water, and to hold polluters accountable.” 

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What Communities are Saying About Drinking Water Regulations 

PFAS in drinking water has been a hot button topic for quite some time.  

During the first run of public comments several public water system entities across the country, including San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) expressed opposition over the feasibility of implementation, including cost, and the proposed measuring standards.  

Additionally, they called for an extension of the comment period to review supporting documentation.  

However, scholars and environmental researchers came out in droves to express the need for immediate action ¾ even going as far as to argue that the regulation wasn’t strict enough.  

Environmental law student and Dallas resident, Emma Jenevein, wrote that the EPA should expand its coverage of PFAS to include more classes of chemicals that threaten public health and the need for regulations at the source of contamination.  

In tandem with the original proposition, the EPA proposed extending the range of PFAS classification to include more chemicals. A total of 907 people submitted public comments, including 816 Salud America! members.  

To our knowledge, the EPA has yet to make a final ruling on the matter. 

Other commenters included lawmakers in states that have already implemented regulations to curb PFAS exposure in drinking water. 

One such person is Mindi Messmer, who was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2016 to 2018.  

During her service, New Hampshire along with states like New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts passed regulations to lessen the health impacts of PFAS in drinking water, according to the politician’s comment.  

Furthermore, the comment used supportive evidence to articulate the harms of exposure for fetal and child development.  

“Our children are already experiencing increasing rates of cancer ¾ we must do what we can to prevent additional cases and preserve the health and well-being for future generations,” she wrote.  

Her plea to the EPA included not to fall prey to potential roadblocks from stakeholders.  

Read all comments  

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Identify Ways to Improve the Environment in Your Community 

From what we eat and drink to what we wear and cook in, exposure to chemicals like PFAS and other toxins is all around us. 

To stay on top of the potential dangers of toxic exposure can have on your family and the rest of your community, download the 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 rest of your state and nation. 

Then email the Report Card to local leaders to raise awareness, include the data in a presentation or grant proposal, or share it on social media to drive healthy change in your community! 

GET YOUR HEALTH REPORT CARD!

The post Tell EPA: Protect Our Drinking Water from PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’! appeared first on Salud America.

Let’s look at five ways to celebrate, honor, and support cancer survivors.

1. Read about Real Latino Cancer Survivors

At Salud America!, we’re inspired by personal stories of cancer survivorship.

That is why we showcase amazing Salud Heroes like Marielle Santos McLeod, who survived colon cancer and now champions the patient voice through advocacy work.

“It allows me the opportunity not only to be a [patient leader], but to also share the importance of why our [involvement in research] matters,” Santos McLeod said.

Read more about these Salud Heroes:

Read more about these Salud Heroes:

• Brittney Millard: Helping Patients and Persevering Through Breast Cancer
• Linda Mota: Champion for Cancer Prevention and Research
• Yoli Day: From Stomach Cancer Survivor to Health Leader, Clinical Trial Supporter
• ‘It Helped Me Because I’m Here’: Why Diana Lopez Chose a Clinical Trial
• Tony Rentas: A ‘Soldado’ Helping Others Fight Battles Against Brain Tumors
• Leonel Rodriguez: Helpful Treatment Through a Cancer Clinical Trial

“The earlier you get diagnosed, the more meaningful interventions can be taken, and you can actually…have a better experience with it, as opposed to when it’s too late,” said Rick Alvarado, another Salud Hero and cancer survivor.

Read, share, and watch these stories along with other Salud Heroes here.

2. Explore Cancer Survivor Resources

Many organizations provide different educational tools and resources.

The American Cancer Society has a page for cancer support.

For survivors, ACS has information and resources on follow-up care, survivorship care plans, and support groups and other services.

“No two people are alike, and everyone has their own way of coping. Adjusting to life after cancer takes time and practice,” according to the ACS.

Similarly, Cancer Care also makes resources available related to post-treatment survivorship, from counseling to resource navigation to workshops.

Cancer Nation has a Cancer Survival Toolbox,  an audio program created by leading cancer organizations to help people develop skills to better meet and understand the challenges of their illness.

The free audio program includes topics like “Living Beyond Cancer,” finding information, and making decisions when it comes to treatment.

“The program contains a set of basic skills and special topics. Each scenario is inspired by true stories of real cancer patients. The Cancer Survival Toolbox® is for people at any point in their care,” Cancer Nation states.

3. Join Online and In-Person Events for Cancer Survivors

There are plenty of events to join both online and in person to celebrate cancer survivors.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) shares survivor journeys and has several online events available including:

• The AACR Annual Meeting 2025 SessionSY32 – Redefining Cancer Survivorship for People Living with Advanced and Metastatic Cancers available on demand.
• The National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS) will present an OCS Director’s Series webinar on “A Novel Approach to Reducing Fear of Progression and Trauma Symptoms in People with Advanced Cancer” on Wednesday, June 10^,
• The Ellison Medical Institute will hold an Insights Forum on “Are there new ‘conceptual frameworks’ that will transform the diagnosis, treatment, early detection, and prevention of cancer in the next 1-5 years?” on Friday, June 12, 2026.

You can also share on social media using the hashtags #CelebrateSurvivorship and #NationalCancerSurvivorMonth.

4. Volunteer for a Clinical Trial

Diseases like cancer can hurt many of our abuelos, moms, dads, and others we love.

Clinical trials help us fight for our familia.

Clinical trials are studies that help researchers learn more to help slow, manage, and treat cancer, dementia, and other health conditions for current and future family members. But without volunteers for clinical trials, the benefits may miss this group.

Visit our clinical trials page to find a clinical trial, read about hero volunteers, and more!

“Volunteers in clinical trials are not only helping themselves, but they’re also building a future with better treatments that can help their families in the future,” said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

Those looking for opportunities based in San Antonio can search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.

On a national level, visit clinicaltrials.gov to find a clinical trial near you.

FIND A CLINICAL TRIAL!

5. Participate in the Avanzando Caminos Cancer Survivor Study

Clinical research is an important part of advancing health outcomes for all.

That’s why  Dr. Amelie Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio and Mays Cancer Center is leading the Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship study, a longitudinal observational study that explores the factors that mark the Hispanic/Latino cancer survivorship journey in South Texas.

Under the management of Dr. Derek Rodriguez, the study team is meeting with 1,500 participants in South Texas over the course of seven study visits spread out over five years in hopes that certain patterns may emerge.

By isolating this data, the study team hopes to address inconsistencies in cancer care related to the non-medical drivers of health and come up with interventions that ultimately go toward bettering the lives of future cancer survivors.

“We want to be able to empower others to share their story as well. And we want to be able to better understand, detect, treat, and prevent cancer in the long run for other future survivors,” Dr. Rodriguez said.

To volunteer for Avanzando Caminos or ask questions, contact Dr. Ramirez’s team at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio at 210-562-6514 or caminos@uthscsa.edu.

Alternatively, visit the Avanzando Caminos website in English or Spanish to fill out a quick eligibility survey and a member of the study team will be in touch!

The post 5 Important Ways to Celebrate Cancer Survivorship appeared first on Salud America.

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 lifeline,” he told Salud America! “My experience has defined the way I move forward with supporting others and advocating for the best cancer care available.”  

Arnoldo’s First Fight with Cancer 

Lymphoma wasn’t Arnoldo’s first brush with cancer.  

His introduction to cancer came many years earlier in 2010 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

During his annual checkup, Arnoldo’s doctor noticed that his protein levels were abnormally high and referred him to an oncologist, who performed a biopsy. 

When Arnoldo got called in to review the results of the biopsy, he was told pointblank that he had cancer. 

“He just said, ‘Well, you got cancer,’ just like that. And that really hit me,” Arnoldo said. “It was like, ‘Oh my God. This guy has no bedside manner whatsoever.’ And he said, ‘Now we’ll just do some radiation. You’ll be fine,’ just like that.”  

The experience left a bad taste in his mouth. He searched for answers with other doctors. 

“I remember I went to one oncologist, and he just looked at me like, ‘What happened?’ Like I caused it. What happened? I said, ‘You can tell I have prostate cancer,’ but he was looking at me like it was my fault,” he said. 

Arnoldo knew he would have to dig a little deeper to find quality cancer care.  

“It became very evident to me that my doctors were not being advocates for my treatment,” he recalled.  

That’s when he found UT MD Anderson, one of the premiere cancer care centers in Texas.  

Through UT MD Anderson, Arnoldo found a provider willing to explore cutting edge treatments and therapies. 

Arnoldo flew out with his wife to undergo a prostatectomy, which involves removing part of the prostate gland. 

He spent one night in the hospital and a week in a hotel recovering nearby before flying back to McAllen.  

For nearly 10 years, Arnoldo was cancer-free. Then 2019 hit.   

WATCH!

Arnoldo’s Lymphoma Battle 

Having experienced cancer years ago, Arnoldo felt better equipped to handle his journey being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019.  

But battling lymphoma would test everything he knew about cancer treatment and care.  

Arnoldo wasted no time and went straight to UT MD Anderson.  

After being diagnosed with stage 3 follicular lymphoma, the providers at UT MD Anderson went over his treatment options and, in the end, offered him a clinical trial.  

“They were trying the best of what had worked with some new model treatments,” he said.  

The clinical trial involved using proven strategies while testing new medications to treat the cancer.  

But Arnoldo would not be going through this clinical trial alone.  

Around the same time Arnoldo was diagnosed with lymphoma, so was his wife. 

He and his wife, who was diagnosed at an early stage 1, participated in the treatment together. 

The treatment proved successful for his wife. 

Arnoldo wasn’t as fortunate in his reaction to the treatment.  

The clinical trial severely weakened his immune system and Arnoldo’s health took a turn for the worse when he contracted pneumonia and pre-pandemic 2019 novel coronavirus. 

These two illnesses hit Arnoldo like a freight train, and he was rushed to the emergency room at UT MD Anderson.  

As a result of the pneumonia accompanied by the effects of the treatment, Arnoldo’s abdomen was filling with fluid. 

The treatment for this was to drill a whole on both sides of the abdomen and drain the fluid daily.  

“That was a painful experience, because you drain and you can’t drain too much because your lungs will collapse. But I could feel it, and when I felt that, it was so painful,” he recalled. 

Arnoldo persevered and recovered from both the illness and the disease.  

He was in remission for almost a year when he relapsed.  

“We know that cancer stays there. There’s no cure. It’s under control, and that’s what we call remission. There’s no evidence of the disease, but we know it’s in there … It’s in your body, just hasn’t been activated,” he explained.  

A few months later, Arnoldo suffered another relapse and underwent two different chemotherapies to treat the cancer only to have it return later that year. 

WATCH!

Arnoldo and Participating in a Clinical Trial 

After the third relapse, Arnoldo’s care team knew they needed to take a different approach.  

They suggested a drug. 

It was a drug his insurance refused to cover, and the out-of-pocket cost would run him $10,000 a month. 

The pharmaceutical company offered to sell it for $2,000 a month but Arnoldo wouldn’t have it.  

“I did not want to do that. I told him, ‘You’re a research hospital. There’s got to be something else’ … It was more a matter of principle for me than anything else. I could have paid that, it wasn’t like I didn’t have the resources for it, it was just not everybody does.”

That’s when his doctor told him about a new CAR T-cell therapy clinical trial they were about to launch.  

It turns out Arnoldo was the perfect candidate due to his relapses and the severity of the disease.  

Not even two weeks later Arnoldo got a call to let him know they had cleared him for the trial. 

Arnoldo had to undergo a series of tests before he could start the treatment, which would require him to stay within a two-mile radius from the hospital in case there were complications. 

Being from out of town meant Arnoldo would need to find temporary accommodations for the duration of the treatment, which was six to eight weeks.  

He was referred to organizations with programs that could set him up with lodgings, but the wait list put him in a place six months away, which would postpone potentially life-saving treatment.  

Prolonging treatment was not an option he could afford, and he was able to rent a place not even a mile away from the hospital. 

However, not everyone can afford to make that choice.  

Finding lodgings while undergoing treatment continues to keep many from participating in clinical trials. 

Whether the out-of-pocket costs or being placed on a wait list, many can’t afford to not take the gamble of participating in a clinical trial that could be the difference between life and death. 

“The demand is so great that it’s hard to find an opening. So, it’s like, you either schedule it six months from now when hopefully there’s an opening, or you die,” he said. 

Luckily, Arnoldo suffered no serious side effects. 

Arnoldo completed the treatment regimen and was declared no evidence of disease. 

That was four years ago.  

“[Clinical trials] are not a last resort; it’s a lifeline,” he said. “Do the clinical trial. The evidence right now is showing that perhaps the clinical trial could become the standard of care for lymphoma patients.”  

WATCH!

Path to Patient Leadership  

Arnoldo’s cancer experience taught him many lessons, like how to maintain health records and the importance of advocating for yourself.  

These were difficult lessons to learn, but worth repeating if it means he could help others navigate the cancer experience.  

Inspired to make an impact in his local community, Arnoldo made the leap into patient leadership. 

It started when he received an email from the National Cancer Coalition, now Cancer Nation, to share his survivorship story.  

“I told them my interest is in supporting other cancer survivors, particularly in my community, because I come from a background, and just by virtue of the demographics of where I live, we’ve got a lot of people that just don’t the resources. They might not have the linguistic ability to go in and ask, ‘What do we do?’ … so, I would like to advocate for the Latino community,” Arnoldo said.  

The organization took notice and saw the value of Arnoldo’s story and how it can impact the Latino community, and he accepted the invitation to speak in a series of bilingual webinars, including one on CAR T-cell therapy. 

He was also contacted by Cancer Support Community to help them create a CAR T-cell survivors resource book. 

But he knew there were more opportunities for him to help make a difference. 

So, he applied for the 2026 Latino Cancer Patient Advocate Program, which took place ahead of the Advancing Cancer Research in Latinos and All Populations Conference held biennially in San Antonio, Texas. 

The program, co-led by Barbara Segarra-Vázquez of the University of Puerto Rico and Sandi Sandford of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation, teaches cancer survivors to become research patient health advocates who help others navigate the healthcare system and raise the Latino voice in research. 

“Programs like these are important because we know more and more folks to not have access to health care. And more and more the types of cancer that our people have are increasing. There’s a lot of quality care out there, we just need to get the right resources out there and provide them with some good information,” Arnoldo said.  

He was also asked to share his story during the conference during the survivorship panel.  

It was a combination of all these experiences that reinforced the power that story telling has. 

Arnoldo plans to use what he’s learned from his own experience and from his opportunities in patient leadership to help others, starting with those in his community in the Rio Grande Valley.  

“As a cancer survivor who learned quite a bit about finding quality, research-based driven care, I felt that it was incumbent on me to help other cancer patients find the best possible cancer care for their particular type of cancer,” Arnoldo told Salud America! 

“In particular, [helping] those in my community, who don’t have access to insurance or because of language [hurdles], or not able to acquire the information on their own.” 

WATCH!

Share Your Survivorship Story with Avanzando Caminos 

Arnoldo often shares his story to help cancer survivors in his South Texas community. 

But he also recently shared his story in hopes of making a much greater impact as part of the Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship Cohort Study. The study examines the influence of the social, cultural, environmental, and biological factors on the cancer survivorship experience. 

By sharing his story, Arnoldo is hoping to provide insight that can be used to help inform interventions that will help new generations of survivors.  

“[I] learned a lot [from the Latino Cancer Patient Advocate Program] about the challenges that Latinos have with cancer care,” he stated. “[When] I was asked to be part of the study Avanzando Caminos I had no hesitation because we need all the data that we can gather to provide the best possible care and treatment for Latino patients.”  

The Avanzando Caminos research study at UT Health San Antonio is looking to enroll 1,500 Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors in South Texas.     

Participants must have completed primary cancer treatment for breast, lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, kidney, prostate, and uterine cervical cancers in the last 10 years.   

Recently, the study announced it would now be enrolling participants who are bladder, melanoma, ovarian, thyroid, and lymphoma cancer survivors like Arnoldo. 

The study is comprised of seven study visits over five years, which consists of assessment interviews, and some blood draws.     

Volunteers are eligible to receive $50 per visit.     

To inquire about volunteering for Avanzando Caminos, please contact a member of the study team at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio at 210-562-6514 or email caminos@uthscsa.edu.     

You can also visit the Avanzando Caminos website in English or Spanish for more information or fill out a short eligibility survey and a member of the study team will be in touch.     

Join the Avanzando Caminos study in English or Spanish.     

WATCH PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

SHARE YOUR STORY WITH AVANZANDO CAMINOS!

The post Arnoldo Rodriguez: Surviving Cancer to Advocate for Better Care in South Texas appeared first on Salud America.

We at Salud America! are honored to recognize all U.S. military personnel, including the Latinos, who have served and died for our country.

Latinos in the Military: History

Latinos have a “proud and indeed enviable” record of military service that dates back all the way to the Civil War, according to a U.S. Army history website.

About 20,000 Latino serviceman and women participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991, 80,000 in the Vietnam War in 1959-1973, and more than 400,000 in World War II in 1939-1945.

Latinos have earned more than 40 Medals of Honor, according to the Department of Defense.

“Whether their heritage can be traced to Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, or one of dozens of other Spanish-speaking countries or [backgrounds], they’ve answered the ‘call to duty,’ defending America with unwavering valor and honor,” according to the website.

The Composition of the U.S. Military, Including Latinos

The Latino share of the active-duty force has continued to rise.

In 2015, 12% of all active-duty personnel were Latino. That is three times the share in 1980, according to Pew Research.

Latinos in active duty rose again to 16% in 2017, according to a report done by the Congressional Service Review, and from 17.2% in 2020 to 17.7% in 2021, according to military data released in December 2022.

Two Latinos’ Heroic Stories: Humbert Roque Versace and Marcelino Serna

Pvt. Marcelino Serna, born in Mexico, joined the U.S. Army and fought in World War I.

He was the first Latino to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

“[In 1918, Serna] stood out for single-handedly capturing 24 German soldiers after a German bullet had grazed his head,” according to the Army’s website. “Perhaps even more impressive, Serna prevented another American Soldier from summarily executing all the captives in the heat of the moment.”

Leaders are petitioning the U.S. Army and federal government to posthumously award Serna the Medal of Honor. He also was posthumously awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.

Capt. Humbert Roque ‘Rocky’ Versace, of Puerto Rican-Italian descent, was a member of U.S. Army Special Forces.

Viet Cong guerrillas captured Versace, 27, two weeks before he was due to return home, Versace, on Oct. 29, 1963.

He mounted four escape attempts, ridiculed his interrogators, swore at them in three languages, and confounded them as best he could, according to two U.S. Soldiers captured with him, according to the Army’s website.

“The witnesses said the unbroken Versace sang ‘God Bless America’ at the top of his lungs the night before he was executed, Sept. 26, 1965. His remains have never been recovered,” according to the Army’s website. “Versace was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, July 8, 2002.”

How You Can Build Health for Latinos and All People

On Memorial Day, inspired by the U.S. military personnel who have served and died for our country, we can take action to improve our cities and neighborhoods.

You can start by downloading a Salud America! Health Report Card!

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 rest of your state and nation.

Then email the Report Card to local leaders to raise awareness, include the data in a presentation or grant proposal, or share it on social media to drive healthy change in your community!

get a health report card for your town!

The post Honoring Latino and All Military Heroes on Memorial Day appeared first on Salud America.

A blood cancer diagnosis can bring up many worries, emotions, and even confusion.

That is why Blood Cancer United is aiming to help people with navigating their diagnosis journey with updated Survivorship Workbooks.

Let’s take a look into what these workbooks consist of and how they can help families and communities maneuver cancer diagnoses.

download the workbooks!

Workbooks Help Blood Cancer Patients Stay Informed

Blood Cancer United’s workbooks cover a range of topics related to blood cancer:

• Care plans
• Long term and late effects
• Healthy behavior recommendations
• Planning for the future and more

“Use this workbook to collect all the important information you need throughout diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care and long-term management of a blood cancer, according to Blood Cancer United.

Workbooks are available for adults, children and adolescents, and young adults.

All of the booklets are available in English and Spanish.

“Take this workbook with you to appointments. Fill out the worksheets with help from members of your healthcare team, as needed,” according to Blood Cancer United.

download the workbooks!

Additional Support Through Blood Cancer United

Through Blood Cancer United, patients can find Blood cancer Information Specialists.

These specialists are “U.S.-based, highly trained and licensed oncology social workers and nurses who are ready to help you or your loved one navigate a blood cancer diagnosis and connect you to financial and social support information.”

Patients can send an inquiry message here.

You can also send chat messages through the Blood Cancer United website.

Blood Cancer United can also be reached via phone call at (800) 955-4572 Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Callers may request the services of a language interpreter. This service is available in more than 350 languages,” according to Blood Cancer United.

download the workbooks!

Getting the Cancer Care You Need

Navigating cancer can be challenging, especially when you start your journey to recovery.

One way to set yourself up for success is choosing a care team that will focus on your individual needs and take your background and beliefs into consideration.

That all begins with finding the best oncologist.

If you are in South Texas, use the Mays Cancer Center’s “Find a cancer care provider” tool to locate an oncologist that fits your needs and cancer type or find out more about healthcare opportunities in the community.

Salud America! also offers a community resource guide to help people who experience issues with the non-medical drivers of health.

Nationally, the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s website offers an oncologist database with oncologists based on specialty, board certification, and location.

The American Cancer Society’s website also breaks down the types of oncologists, considerations that should be made when selecting a provider, a resource to find providers that take Medicare, and much more.

Find cancer care!

The post Get Help Navigating a Blood Cancer Diagnosis with Workbooks appeared first on Salud America.

To ensure support for those affected and their caregivers, join UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “Zeroing in on Alzheimer’s, Brain Health, and Caregiving in At-Risk Populations,” at 11 a.m. Central on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Webinar host Dr. Amelie Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, will join experts from the San Antonio CAPAS research program, a representative from Genentech, a community health worker, and a Latino caregiver to focus on the impact of Alzheimer’s in South Texas and beyond.

Panelists will discuss the state of Alzheimer’s among Latinos and all people, early signs, early diagnosis, and what the condition means for the entire family and caregiving.

In understanding the reasons for the Latino population’s heavy burden of Alzheimer’s disease, we can begin to address the issue to prevent Alzheimer’s in Latinos and all people at all levels, from research to clinical settings to community outreach and education.

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR!

Learn about the Speakers for this Webinar on Alzheimer’s, Brain Health, and Caregiving

Here are the panelists for the webinar.

Panelist presentations and a discussion were moderated by Dr. Amelie Ramirez.

Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH (moderator), an internationally recognized researcher in health promotion and behavioral change, is director of Salud America! and leader of the Institute for Health Promotion Research in the Department of Population Health Sciences at UT Health San Antonio. She has spent over 30 years directing research on human and organizational communication to reduce chronic disease and cancer among all people, including cancer risk factors, clinical trial recruitment, tobacco prevention, and obesity prevention. She also is associate director of cancer outreach and engagement at the NCI-designated Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

Rebeca Wong, PhD, is director of the Center for Healthy Population Aging and leader of the San Antonio Center for AD/ADRD Population Aging and Social Studies (CAPAS) at UT San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Wong is a population economist with 35 years of experience with multi-disciplinary research that has been funded continuously by the NIA/NIH. Her research includes a variety of topics related to the wellbeing of older adults, using a life course and multi-disciplinary perspective, with keen interest in health disparities in the populations of Mexico and US Hispanics.

Guadalupe Cornejo, LMSW, CHWI, Founder, San Antonio Community Health Workers Association, Assistant Professor of Community Health, Northwest Vista College. She has experience working as a Texas’ Department of State Health Services Certified Community Health Worker, implementing community outreach programs/interventions, and promoting wellness and health in the community. She has served as Health Educator Associate at UT Health San Antonio in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Population Health Sciences (in the Institute for Health Promotion Research). She has worked as a patient navigator in a clinical and community setting, implemented research interventions involving oncology patients, and conducted community education and outreach.

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR!

Behind the Webinar Series on Health

The “Let’s Improve Health in South Texas and Beyond” webinar series is a collaboration of the Salud America! program at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, and Genentech.

Salud America! is a national health communication organization that creates relevant and research-based stories, videos, and tools to inspire people to start and support healthy changes where all families can live, learn, work, and play. The program is led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez. Dr. Ramirez is chair and professor of Population Health Sciences and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She also leads community outreach and engagement at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

The Mays Cancer Center, also called the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, has a mission to decrease the burden of cancer in San Antonio, South Texas and beyond. We bring South Texas a level of exceptional research and care that is comparable with the nation’s most respected programs. More patients put their trust in our program because we have a unique understanding of our community’s cancer care needs. We excel in delivering advanced therapies.

Founded more than 40 years ago as the first biotechnology company, Genentech is dedicated to the rigorous pursuit of science and the development and delivery of life-changing medicines for people facing serious diseases. Headquartered in South San Francisco, California and a proud member of the Roche Group, our community is united by a common purpose and sense of urgency to transform the future of healthcare. Learn more at gene.com.

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