This year an estimated 1.6 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer and more than 580,000 will die from it.
However, there is an even more alarming statistic.
Among Hispanics, cancer has now overtaken heart disease as the leading killer. This also includes a rise among kids with cancer.
“The number is rising and it is not going away, well as we are the Rio Grande Valley is primarily Hispanic and unfortunately we have continued to see the level of childhood cancer in Hispanics rise,” says Victoria Guerra of the Vannie E. Cook JR. Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic in McAllen, Texas. READ MORE
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NEW ROUND OF ALLIED HEALTH COURSES BEGINS IN MARCH
The National Latino Education Institute (NLEI) will begin three professional training programs during March at its main campus, 2011 West Pershing Road in Chicago. These training programs can lead to careers in allied health and medical office management.
The Electronic Medical Records program begins on March 12th; the Medical Office Specialist and Medical Assistant programs begin on March 25th.
If you or someone you know is seeking a new career path or is undecided on a career, please share this note with them. They might discover their future now!
For more information, visit www.nlei.org or call NLEI at (773) 247-0707, ext. 257. Please mention HispanicPro.com.
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A tax on soda would carry the greatest health benefits for black and Latino Californians, who face the highest risks of diabetes and heart disease, according to recent research findings.
The study found that if a penny-per-ounce tax was applied to soda, cuts in consumption would result in an 8 percent decline in diabetes cases among blacks and Latinos. The statewide reduction in new diabetes cases is projected at 3 to 5.6 percent, according to researchers from UC San Francisco, Columbia University and Oregon State University, who released their findings at last week's American Public Health Association annual meeting in San Francisco.
The study was unveiled as a sugar-sweetened beverage tax faces votes in El Monte, in Los Angeles County, and Richmond, in the Bay Area. A statewide excise tax was proposed but died in the California Legislature in 2010.
Harold Goldstein, executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, said he has visited Richmond to urge support for the measure. He said he heard residents speak of loved ones who’ve been affected by diabetes complications – such as limb amputations and blindness – during a recent town hall meeting at a Richmond church. READ MORE
The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) has named Jessica González-Rojas as the organization’s new Executive Director.
González-Rojas has been a leader in progressive movements for 15 years and has been a prominent national voice in the reproductive health and rights movement for five years, most recently as NLIRH’s deputy director. She has played a pivotal role in establishing the organization as a leading voice for Latinas in national policy discussions at the White House, on Capitol Hill and in target states, and in spearheading groundbreaking research on the Latina experience. She has forged new partnerships with allied movements such as immigration, sexual health and rights, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) liberation.
“We are thrilled to have Jessica Gonzålez-Rojas serve as our Executive Director", said Berta Colón, NLIRH Board Chair. "Jessica is a strong leader with a proven track record and deep understanding of reproductive justice issues. She will, without doubt, ensure that Latinas' voices are heard loud and clear in the halls of statehouses, in the White House and on Capitol Hill, and in communities nationwide.”
As the Latina population has surged in the United States, NLIRH has built a national network of Latinas who are engaged, mobilized, and ready to take action on pressing reproductive health and justice issues. The organization hosts the most-read national blog on Latina reproductive health issues, Nuestra Vida/Nuestra Voz, and produces the informative Latina reproductive health e-alert, Instantes, that brings national and state policy and social concerns to thousands of supporters nationwide. The organization is the most prolific media voice about Latinas and sexual health. Increasingly, NLIRH has spearheaded social media initiatives in response to the growing online communication preferences among Latino/as, including hosting a robust annual Latina Week of Action that most recently featured a blog carnival with prominent contributors such as Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
"Latinas' health and rights have been particularly under fire in recent years, with families torn apart, safety nets eroding, rigorous scapegoating campaigns, and tenuous access to healthcare. At the same time we are growing in numbers, we are organized, and now is the time for Latinas' voices, perspectives and experiences to take center stage," said Jessica Gonzålez-Rojas. "I am thrilled to be in a position to work hand in hand with Latinas and our allies nationwide at this critical moment in the community to raise our voices for dignity, justice, and health".
González-Rojas is a regular presence in national and local media outlets. She was honored by El Diario/La Prensa, the nation’s oldest and largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States, as one of 2009’s “Mujeres Destacadas” (Women of Honor). She is a regular contributor to El Diario/La Prensa on pressing reproductive health issues in the Latina community, as well as a regular media voice in local and national outlets such as National Public Radio, the Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC-FM), the Boston Globe and the New York Times. READ MORE
“Living with Schizophrenia: A Call for Hope and Recovery” is a half-hour documentary film that tells the story of three people who are living meaningful lives with schizophrenia, a chronic and potentially disabling brain disorder. Visit http://www.hopeandrecoveryfilm.com/videos/trailer.swf to view the documentary trailer. The film sets out to increase understanding and to reduce the fear and stigma often associated with this mental health condition. About one percent of the US adult population, or 2 million, and approximately 24 million people globally are living with schizophrenia.
“‘Living with Schizophrenia’ highlights the stories that don’t make the headlines – the stories of hope and promise,” said Emily Abt, award-winning filmmaker and director of the film. “My grandmother struggled with schizophrenia, and making this documentary gave me new insights about what it is like to have this illness and overcome the obstacles in life that it presents.”
In the film, viewers journey with three individuals with schizophrenia to experience their daily struggles, personal insights, paths to the mental health recovery process, and the impact their illness has had on those who love them. “Living with Schizophrenia” delves into the lives of Ashley, who after finding effective treatment for her schizophrenia, returned to school and created a blog to share her story with others; Joshua, who was in and out of psychiatric hospitals for six years and now, following his path of mental health recovery, is dedicated to helping others living with the illness; and Rebecca, who spent a decade blaming herself for her diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and is now actively involved in her treatment process.
Ashley, Joshua, and Rebecca are joined in the film by their families and experts in schizophrenia, including community-based psychiatrist Rebecca Roma, MD, medical director of the Community Treatment Team at Mercy Behavioral Health in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Xavier Amador, PhD, clinical psychologist and founder and director of the LEAP Institute; and, Dave, president of the Georgia chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Throughout the film, they share their perspectives and reinforce the message of hope and self-acceptance for people living with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder whose cause eludes experts to this day. Researchers have identified various risk factors for schizophrenia, including heredity, brain damage, and environmental factors such as social stress, isolation, and drug use. The disease typically manifests as abnormal psychological functioning and disturbed behavior. There are currently no physical or lab tests that diagnose the disease; therefore, schizophrenia is diagnosed by the presence of symptom types.
“By sharing the powerful stories of Ashley, Joshua, and Rebecca, we can work to reduce the fear and reduce the stigma, just like we’ve done with so many other issues over the years,” said Dr. Roma. “Deep down inside, we’re all people with different struggles and I learn from my patients every day about the power of perseverance and hope.”
“Living with Schizophrenia” was funded and produced by Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The people featured in the film present their own stories and ideas and were not compensated by Janssen to appear in the film. Janssen products are not named or promoted in the film.
For more information about “Living with Schizophrenia” visit http://www.hopeandrecoveryfilm.com.
Cancer has surpassed heart disease to become the leading cause of death among Hispanics in the United States, according to an American Cancer Society report released Monday.
Every three years since 2000, scientists at the cancer society have published Cancer Facts and Figures for Hispanics/Latinos. Such studies provide data that help develop an efficient science-based cancer control plan.
Hispanics are the fastest growing demographic group in the United States. Approximately 16.3% of America's population (50.5 million out of 310 million people) is Hispanic. It is estimated that 112,800 people of Hispanic ethnicity will be diagnosed with cancer and 33,200 will die of the disease in 2012.
The finding is due in part to the younger age distribution of Hispanics. Approximately one in 10 Hispanics is age 55 or over, compared to one in three non-Hispanics.
Among non-Hispanic whites and African-Americans, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, according to Monday's American Cancer Society report, the fifth. READ MORE
The findings help explain disproportionately high obesity rates in minority children. Family income is often a factor, but so are cultural customs and beliefs, the study authors said. They examined more than a dozen circumstances that can increase chances of obesity, and almost every one was more common in black and Hispanic children than in whites.
Factors included eating and sleeping habits in infancy and early childhood and mothers smoking during pregnancy. In a separate, equally troubling study, researchers found signs of inflammation in obese children as young as 3 years old. High levels were more common in blacks and Hispanics.
These inflammatory markers have been linked with obesity in adults and are thought to increase chances for developing heart disease. Their significance in early childhood is uncertain, but the study's lead author says she never thought they'd be found in children so young. READ FULL STORY
California milk processors have renewed a campaign aimed at Latinos, who traditionally have been big consumers.
The campaign is called "Toma Leche," which is Spanish for "drink milk." It is from the California Milk Processor Board, which created the "Got Milk?" campaign in 1983.
The latest version of the campaign launched Thursday on Spanish-language television with a commercial describing how milk can enhance dental health. It will be followed in the spring by TV spots on how milk can promote shiny hair and strong muscles.
The campaign will use print, radio and online advertising as well.
A study by the board, based in San Clemente, found that 94 percent of the state's 13.5 million Latinos always have milk in their homes, more than the population at large.
The campaign is called "Toma Leche," which is Spanish for "drink milk." It is from the California Milk Processor Board, which created the "Got Milk?" campaign in 1983.
The latest version of the campaign launched Thursday on Spanish-language television with a commercial describing how milk can enhance dental health. It will be followed in the spring by TV spots on how milk can promote shiny hair and strong muscles.
The campaign will use print, radio and online advertising as well.
A study by the board, based in San Clemente, found that 94 percent of the state's 13.5 million Latinos always have milk in their homes, more than the population at large.
The statistics for Latinas suffering from child birth related depression continue to climb.
From socio-economics to cultural beliefs, many suffer in silence mainly because they are reluctant to admit something is wrong.
San Ysidro Health Center physician Dr. James Cevallos says it is typical for any mother to get the blues when dealing with a new baby.
"Sadness, guilt, just not feeling pleasure, if it's beyond two weeks that's when we're really concerned," said Cevallos.
He says around 10% of the mothers he treats at the center have postpartum depression.
According to a recent study by Postpartum Support International, Latinas are 37% more likely to suffer from the disorder - compared to 25% for the general population.
"Some have thought that there's a hormonal factor involved in postpartum depression but the truth is there are multiple areas that it could be involved in causing depression," said Cevallos.
For Latinas, he says, it is not so much biological as it is cultural.
"It's something that might be shameful to the culture and we know that mental disease in the Latino culture is something that's looked at as something that you should be able to handle on your own," said Cevallos.
A lack of proper health care also plays a factor when it comes to early detection. READ MORE
The Warriors Running Group was started by Joseph N Sobus to bring people of different backgrounds who shared a common passion for running. The Warriors is a free running group that promotes healthy living, supports various charities and local businesses. This is the first running group to represent the Latino community and the Pilsen community in the 2011 Chicago Marathon.
There has been many inspiring moments for this season ranging from seeing our members on the Marathon’s billboards to having everyone in the group reaching their goals. Collectively, we have raised thousands of dollars for charities like Children’s Memorial, Back on Your Feet, Special Olympics and Susan Komen foundation. The thing that we are most proud of this season we have created a group with no hidden agendas other than to help others to reach their goals.
Next season, we will be breaking our group into two different teams: one that will be focusing on the Chicago Marathon and the other that will training for the Men’s Health Urbanathon.
We would like to thank our sponsors but most of all Second Federal Saving Bank for creating our team uniform. The Warriors would like to invite everyone to cheer us on at the finish line and join us next season.
Learn more about the Warriors Running Group and join them for a run! Click here to visit the facebook group.
Watch Warriors Running Group Bank of America Marathon video:
The number of babies born to Hispanics dropped below 1 million in 2010, a nearly 11 percent drop since 2007 that reflects the tough times.
Fewer people of all backgrounds are having babies because of economic concerns, but the sharpest drop is among Hispanics, a booming population that contributes almost a quarter of all U.S. births and half of its population growth.
"Hispanic fertility is dropping like a stone," says Kenneth Johnson, demographer for the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute.
Hispanic birth rates tumbled 17.6 percent in three years — from 97.4 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44 to 80.3 last year, according to preliminary 2010 data released this month by the National Center for Health Statistics.
Non-Hispanic whites still deliver most U.S. births. Their birth rates fell too, but at a much slower pace — down 3.7 percent to 58.7 per 1,000 women in 2010.
Hispanic births in Wisconsin dropped from 6,911 to 6,545 between 2007 and 2010 — a difference of 366 — but because of the overall drop in the state's birthrate, the percentage of Hispanic births to all births remained about the same at 9.56 percent. READ MORE
The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center has received a $850,000 grant to address health disparities in Chicago.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded the one-year grant, which builds on previous funding to UIC’s Center of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities to help reduce diabetes and cardiovascular disease among Latino and African-American populations in the Chicago area.
The UIC center “is working to ensure that food contributes to health among Latinos and African Americans rather than to chronic diseases,” says Sheila Castillo, associate director of the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center and principal investigator on the grant.
The UIC center is one of 18 grantees addressing health disparities nationwide.
Castillo said the UIC center has built a coalition of businesses, institutions, and individuals dedicated to changing social factors underlying health disparities.
“We are looking to change policies and systems that will result in changes in the environment, so that there is more access to healthy food,” she said.
Castillo said the center focuses on increasing the equitable distribution of healthy food and increasing health literacy, but also funds community projects. The center provided grants to organizations operating in the Pilsen, Englewood, Humboldt Park, Roseland, Austin, and Logan Square neighborhoods of Chicago. READ MORE
A new Northwestern University study says minority youth ages eight to 18 spend more than half their day consuming media content – a rate that's 4.5 hours greater than their white counterparts.
The Children, Media and Race: Media Use Among White, Black, Hispanic and Asian American Children report released Wednesday says that minority youths are more likely to spend up to 2 hours more per day watching TV, one hour more per day listening to music, 90 minutes more per day using a computer, and up to 40 minutes more per day playing video games than do their white counterparts.
Reading for pleasure in pre-teens and teens was equal across races, averaging at 30 to 40 minutes a day. But for children six and under, it was more likely that children of white parents were reading or read to every day.
Multitasking among youth has been adopted as equal rates; around four in ten white, black and Hispanic 7th to 12th graders said that they use another medium “most of the time” they’re watching television.
Surprisingly, parental structures did not predict total media exposure. The study found that most parents do not set limits on the amount of time children can spend interacting with media for pleasure.
Within the use of these media, however, white parents were more likely to set rules for what their children could consume, including television programs watched, internet sites used, and their visibility on social networking sites like Facebook.
Co-author Ellen Wartella, head of Northwestern University’s Center on Media and Human Development, says the study is not meant to blame parents but should serve as a wake-up call. She says increased parental involvement could mitigate potential problems, including child obesity. READ MORE
Find study here.
Yolanda Miranda, mother of Mexican singer Thalia, became part of a disturbing trend among Latino women when she died unexpectedly of a heart attack last week.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Latinas in the United States, but because many women do not display what are considered typical symptoms like chest pain, which is more common in men, they often go undiagnosed until it is too late.
Miranda had complained of a debilitating headache the night before her death, which occurred in the early morning on May 27, but the 76-year-old was apparently unaware that such a symptom can be connected to an impending heart attack. Her death came just two weeks before the expected birth of her famous daughter’s second child and a day before the wedding day of another daughter, Ernestina Sodi.
“Women’s symptoms can be much more subtle and challenging to diagnose,” said David A. Meyerson, cardiologist at Johns Hopkins University and a spokesman for the American Heart Association and its campaign Go Red Por Tu Corazón, which is designed to create heart disease awareness among Hispanic women. READ MORE
