Study: The Reasons Minority Women Don’t Get Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer


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Why are racial/ethnic minority populations less likely than whites to get genetic testing, which can help a woman learn if she has an abnormal gene that is linked to higher breast cancer risk? The answer may lie in their attitudes toward genetic testing. Latina, black, Asian, Native American, and Appalachian women all had a generally positive attitude toward genetic testing, but several key differences emerged among these minority groups, according to a new study led by Dr. Amelie Ramirez of Redes En Acción, a national cancer research network based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. The study, which sought to better understand attitudes toward genetic testing to guide development of culturally sensitive ...

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Jazmin Martinez: An Èxito! Grad With a Passion to End Latino Health Disparities



Editor’s Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2015 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply now for 2016. Jazmin Martinez Anaheim, Calif. The strong mentorship and support of a faculty member at her university gave Jazmin Martinez the motivation to continue preparing for a career in Latino health disparities.  Jazmin's ultimate goal is to obtain a doctorate in public health and focus on health disparities. Jazmin fundamentally believes that we need more ethnic minority professors in this country.  Jasmin obtained her bachelors at California State University, double-majoring in Chicano and Latino Studies and Political Science.  She is currently working on her Masters in Public Health at CSULB.  After completing her masters, Jazmin plans to ...

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Monica Montaño: An Èxito! Grad Who Has A Passion for Teaching and Helping Others



Editor’s Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2015 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply now for 2016. Monica Montaño Downey, Calif. With a Panamanian hat-wearing grandfather who pushed his children to go to college and a mom who took her to microbiology classes as a child, it’s no surprise that education is Monica's main tool to promote health among Latinos. She has a true passion for teaching and not only wants to expose her students to health disparities, but also wants to conduct research and deliver education on cancer and disease prevention across the nation and beyond.  Monica Montaño received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Community Health Education and School Health Education (2000),  from California State University ...

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Andrew Jimenez: An Èxito! Grad Who Is Committed to Helping Latinos Live Healthier Lives



Editor’s Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2015 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply now for 2016. Andrew Jimenez Ontario, Calif. Encouraged by his great-grandfather’s spurs and his father’s ever-present support, Andrew Jimenez is driven to make a difference in helping Latinos live healthier lives. He is his family’s first college and grad school student, and he works as a research assistant while he studies health promotion. He’s open to new topics and challenges because he believes in the mantra, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Andrew obtained his bachelor's degree in biology from Whittier College and is currently attending Claremont Graduate University to obtain his masters in Public Health with a ...

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Andrea Fernandez: An Èxito! Grad Who Believes in the Value of Perseverance



Editor’s Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2015 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply now for 2016. Andrea Fernandez San Antonio, Texas It’s not always easy to stay calm, cool and collected under stress or facing adversity. However, Andrea is ready for anything that comes her way thanks to her mother, who stayed positive and encouraged her to continue her education despite battling cancer.  As the first person in her immediate and extended family to attend a university, Andrea has  the desire to evolve and excel. Andrea completed her bachelors in Psychology at UT Pan American and her masters in Public Health from the UT Health Science Center Houston-School of Public Health. Andrea thought that she might be past the stage where she ...

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Infographic: Farmer’s Markets & Latino Kids



  Did you know Latino neighborhoods often lack access to healthy affordable foods? Research indicates that when Latinos are given incentives like WIC subsidies and EBT purchasing power for healthy foods at farmer’s markets they are more likely to buy more fruits and vegetables, according to our new infographic on farmer's markets, which is part of the new Salud America! Better Food in the Neighborhood and Latino Kids research package on the latest science and policy recommendations on healthy food access among Latinos. Making it easier for farmer’s markets to sprout in food desert Latino communities through healthy food financing initiatives (e.g., tax credits, zoning incentives, and technical assistance), also helps Latinos buy more fruits and veggies. Share ...

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Innovation in Preventing Latino Cervical Cancer, Obesity & More



Find the latest in Latino health—from fighting Latina cervical cancer to innovative ways to tackle Latino childhood obesity—in the new E-newsletter from the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. The IHPR E-newsletter has these stories: Story and Video: Preventing Cervical Cancer in South Texas (Pg 1) Story: How an “Exercise Avoider” Became an “Exercise Promoter” (Pg 2) Story: The Importance of Latino Biospecimens (Pg 2) Story: 20 Studies Tackle Latino Childhood Obesity (Pg 3) Story: Who is Promotora of the Year? (Pg 4) Videos: “Feeding Minds” Series Addresses Hunger, Obesity in Texas (Pg 6) The E-newsletter is jam-packed with even more info on the latest local and national health ...

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