Latinos Unprepared for Emergencies
Martín E. Martínez, Vida en el Valle, Sep 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO -- California's minority communities, especially Latinos, are the least-prepared to respond to public health emergencies like fires, floods and diseases.
A report by Drexel University in Sacramento finds that while California is one of the nation's leading states in taking actions to get its racially and ethnically diverse communities to prepare for an emergency, there remain persistent individual and institutional barriers.
Latinos are less prepared for an emergency, the report said, due mainly to the language barrier and cultural issues.
"The problem is that Latinos and minorities in general have less access to information about emergencies because most of this information is just in English and the few literature available in Spanish is very limited, which most of the times never reaches those communities," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Los Ángeles County Department of Public Health.
He said his county is currently translating all the information available into Spanish. Plough said the same should be done statewide.
"That is the big part of the solution," said Plough.
The report found that non-white ethnic groups and non-English speakers are less prepared compared to whites and English speakers. More Latinos and Asian/Pacific Islanders report their workplaces as not being prepared compared to whites. And non-English speakers also report that their workplaces are less prepared.
Plough said the report seeks to be a guide to improve quality and equality in preparing for and responding to diverse communities.
"We are increasingly focused on ensuring that our culturally diverse communities are represented across disaster planning, response and recovery," said Plough.
The study suggests:
Ensuring the inclusion of community representatives across preparedness and response planning;
Implementation and evaluation;
Focusing on preparedness needs within their broader community contexts, such as poverty, housing, employment, and transportation.
Encouraging greater flexibility in allocating state and local funds to support innovative partnerships with community and faith-based organizations;
Delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services.
"California is a state rich in racial and ethnic diversity that has a long history of facing and responding to a wide range of disasters, and has devoted significant attention at the state and local levels to tailor preparedness efforts for its diverse communities," said Dr. Dennis P. Andrulis, director of the Center for Health Equality.
He added that this was the first explicit report to review and assess the effectiveness of current programs, and identify challenges and gaps toward reaching and engaging all communities in promoting effective preparedness efforts.
Konane Martínez, director of the National Latino Research Center, said there is a general concern about the budget cuts that could stop advances achieved in past years regarding preparedness of racial and ethnic minorities.
"We have made great progress reaching Latino and all other minority groups, but we are really concerned about the possibility of losing resources and stopping the progress of our work," said Martínez
The study was conducted by researchers at the Center for Health Equality at the Drexel University School of Public Health with support from The California Endowment and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health.
The researchers interviewed individuals representing a range of regions, sectors and areas of expertise within California.
Showing posts with label Latino Wellness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latino Wellness. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Dermatologists target Hispanics nationwide
Rodan + Fields Dermatologists Launch National Hispanic Outreach Campaign
PRESS RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Rodan + Fields Dermatologists, the clinical skincare brand developed by Stanford University-trained dermatologists Katie Rodan, M.D. and Kathy Fields, M.D., announce the brand's official entrance into the Hispanic market. Through a variety of Spanish language initiatives, Rodan + Fields will bring the dermatologic knowledge and skincare expertise of Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields to the Hispanic community, offering an exceptional economic development opportunity. Available through the direct selling channel of distribution, Rodan + Fields personally reaches its customers, helping them not only achieve great skin, but also build successful independent businesses.
"As the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, the Hispanic Market represents a great deal of potential growth for the brand," stated Lori Bush, President and General Manager of Rodan + Fields. "We are extremely excited about this outreach campaign and have developed a broad range of programs to attract and engage the Hispanic community."
"We are very optimistic that the business opportunity presented by Rodan + Fields will have a positive economic impact on the Hispanic community due to the family business culture," said Christian Diaz, Vice President of Sales at Rodan + Fields. "It offers people the possibility to establish their own business regardless of language or education. And, in this economy, when many people are looking for ways to generate additional income, it provides a means to create a family business based in the home."
To launch this outreach, Rodan + Fields has signed on as spokesperson and ambassador for the U.S. Hispanic market, Aliza Lifshitz, M.D., better known to the Latino community as la Doctora Aliza. Named as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine, Dra. Aliza is one of the most well-known and respected physicians in the Hispanic community. Through this partnership, the brand will extend its mission of empowering people by bringing not only dermatologic skincare, but a business opportunity to everyone.
Dra. Aliza will join Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields on August 15 as the keynote speaker at the Rodan + Fields National Hispanic Market Launch at the Sheraton Gateway Suites in Chicago. This will be the first time that a Rodan + Fields business presentation will be held in Spanish.
Earlier this year Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields teamed up with Dra. Aliza to provide the skincare and beauty content for her new Spanish-language health and wellness website, VidaySalud.com. The section, which is entitled Salud y Belleza, includes original skincare articles straight from Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields. The goal is to help provide readers, many of whom never have the opportunity to visit a dermatologist, with sound clinical advice so they can maintain healthy, beautiful skin. Similar in scope to WebMD, VidaySalud.com is the largest permanent source of health and wellness information in Spanish on the Web.
As part of its Hispanic outreach campaign, Rodan + Fields has assembled a business team comprised of several senior executives with extensive experience and expertise in the international and domestic Hispanic Market, along with the internal infrastructure to fully support its Spanish language initiatives. This includes a full Spanish language version of its website at www.rodanandfields.com.
PRESS RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Rodan + Fields Dermatologists, the clinical skincare brand developed by Stanford University-trained dermatologists Katie Rodan, M.D. and Kathy Fields, M.D., announce the brand's official entrance into the Hispanic market. Through a variety of Spanish language initiatives, Rodan + Fields will bring the dermatologic knowledge and skincare expertise of Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields to the Hispanic community, offering an exceptional economic development opportunity. Available through the direct selling channel of distribution, Rodan + Fields personally reaches its customers, helping them not only achieve great skin, but also build successful independent businesses.
"As the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, the Hispanic Market represents a great deal of potential growth for the brand," stated Lori Bush, President and General Manager of Rodan + Fields. "We are extremely excited about this outreach campaign and have developed a broad range of programs to attract and engage the Hispanic community."
"We are very optimistic that the business opportunity presented by Rodan + Fields will have a positive economic impact on the Hispanic community due to the family business culture," said Christian Diaz, Vice President of Sales at Rodan + Fields. "It offers people the possibility to establish their own business regardless of language or education. And, in this economy, when many people are looking for ways to generate additional income, it provides a means to create a family business based in the home."
To launch this outreach, Rodan + Fields has signed on as spokesperson and ambassador for the U.S. Hispanic market, Aliza Lifshitz, M.D., better known to the Latino community as la Doctora Aliza. Named as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine, Dra. Aliza is one of the most well-known and respected physicians in the Hispanic community. Through this partnership, the brand will extend its mission of empowering people by bringing not only dermatologic skincare, but a business opportunity to everyone.
Dra. Aliza will join Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields on August 15 as the keynote speaker at the Rodan + Fields National Hispanic Market Launch at the Sheraton Gateway Suites in Chicago. This will be the first time that a Rodan + Fields business presentation will be held in Spanish.
Earlier this year Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields teamed up with Dra. Aliza to provide the skincare and beauty content for her new Spanish-language health and wellness website, VidaySalud.com. The section, which is entitled Salud y Belleza, includes original skincare articles straight from Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields. The goal is to help provide readers, many of whom never have the opportunity to visit a dermatologist, with sound clinical advice so they can maintain healthy, beautiful skin. Similar in scope to WebMD, VidaySalud.com is the largest permanent source of health and wellness information in Spanish on the Web.
As part of its Hispanic outreach campaign, Rodan + Fields has assembled a business team comprised of several senior executives with extensive experience and expertise in the international and domestic Hispanic Market, along with the internal infrastructure to fully support its Spanish language initiatives. This includes a full Spanish language version of its website at www.rodanandfields.com.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
July has been Latino HIV Testing Month
July is Latino HIV Testing Month
By ruzik_tuzik, EMAX Health, Jul 18th, 2009
July is Latino HIV Testing Month, in recognition of the serious impact that HIV/AIDS has had on all New York's Latino communities. During this month, Governor David A. Paterson and New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. urge all Latinos to get tested for HIV to protect themselves and others from HIV infection.
In 2007, Latinos in New York State represented 16 percent of the population, but accounted for 36,545 or 30 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS in the state. Of the 1,311 Latinos newly reported with HIV infection, 449 or 34 percent developed AIDS within the first year of their HIV diagnosis.
"The State Health Department is joining the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to urge Latinos to get tested for HIV and know their HIV status," Commissioner Daines said. "By waiting, you may miss critical opportunities to receive important health and social support services. When diagnosed early, HIV can be a manageable condition as long as treatment and counseling are sought immediately."
Latino HIV Testing Month is a New York State initiative that was launched in 2005 by the Hispanic Federation, Latino Commission on AIDS and the State Health Department's AIDS Institute. It is a campaign that seeks to unite Latino leaders and diverse community-based organizations in New York to fight HIV through increased HIV testing and sponsorship of prevention activities that target Latino families in their communities. These activities include HIV testing events throughout Latino communities in New York City's five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, Amsterdam, Buffalo, Syracuse and other areas of the state.
"As part of Latino HIV Testing Month, we urge all Latinos to get tested at one of the many free, anonymous testing sites throughout the state," said Humberto Cruz, Director of the State Health Department's AIDS Institute. "We also encourage all agencies that serve Latinos to partner with other agencies to hold HIV testing events in their communities."
While the CDC and DOH recommend that everyone between the ages 13-64 should know their HIV status, having an HIV test is particularly important for those who have:
* Injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (e.g. needles, syringes, works) with others;
* Exchanged sex for drugs or money;
* Been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or syphilis;
* Had unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with multiple partners, anonymous partners or men who have sex with men; and/or
* Had unprotected sex with anyone who has taken any of the risks above.
By ruzik_tuzik, EMAX Health, Jul 18th, 2009
July is Latino HIV Testing Month, in recognition of the serious impact that HIV/AIDS has had on all New York's Latino communities. During this month, Governor David A. Paterson and New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. urge all Latinos to get tested for HIV to protect themselves and others from HIV infection.
In 2007, Latinos in New York State represented 16 percent of the population, but accounted for 36,545 or 30 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS in the state. Of the 1,311 Latinos newly reported with HIV infection, 449 or 34 percent developed AIDS within the first year of their HIV diagnosis.
"The State Health Department is joining the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to urge Latinos to get tested for HIV and know their HIV status," Commissioner Daines said. "By waiting, you may miss critical opportunities to receive important health and social support services. When diagnosed early, HIV can be a manageable condition as long as treatment and counseling are sought immediately."
Latino HIV Testing Month is a New York State initiative that was launched in 2005 by the Hispanic Federation, Latino Commission on AIDS and the State Health Department's AIDS Institute. It is a campaign that seeks to unite Latino leaders and diverse community-based organizations in New York to fight HIV through increased HIV testing and sponsorship of prevention activities that target Latino families in their communities. These activities include HIV testing events throughout Latino communities in New York City's five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, Amsterdam, Buffalo, Syracuse and other areas of the state.
"As part of Latino HIV Testing Month, we urge all Latinos to get tested at one of the many free, anonymous testing sites throughout the state," said Humberto Cruz, Director of the State Health Department's AIDS Institute. "We also encourage all agencies that serve Latinos to partner with other agencies to hold HIV testing events in their communities."
While the CDC and DOH recommend that everyone between the ages 13-64 should know their HIV status, having an HIV test is particularly important for those who have:
* Injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (e.g. needles, syringes, works) with others;
* Exchanged sex for drugs or money;
* Been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or syphilis;
* Had unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with multiple partners, anonymous partners or men who have sex with men; and/or
* Had unprotected sex with anyone who has taken any of the risks above.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Over 6 million Latinos go hungry in U.S.
6.5 Million US Latinos Hungry
Donna Maldonado-Schullo / AL DÍA | 07/10/09
Nearly 1 in 5 Latino households is suffering from food insecurity nationwide in one of the worlds richest countries. According to the latest US Department of Agriculture 2006 report on food security, Hispanics are disproportionately affected with 19.5 % of Latino households reporting food insecurity, well above the national average of 10.9% (Non Hispanic white average is 7.8%). The Tri State area is seeing an increase of households struggling to adequately feed their families. The averages nationwide for 2004-2006 were 11.3 %; Delaware went from 6.7% to 7.8%, Pennsylvania from 9.5% to 10% of households suffering from food insecurity. New Jersey was unique in lowering the rate to 7.7% from 8.6%. But again the prevalence of Hispanics suffering is increasing. In 2006 over 6.5 million of the 35.5 million people who lived in food insecure households were Hispanic.
What is meant by food insecurity? As defined by the same report, food security falls into two categories “low food security” is basically defined as a household at times uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food for all household members because they had insufficient money and other resources for food. Whereas “very low food security” is defined as multiple times the food intake was reduced and eating patterns disrupted due to inadequate resources for food.
It is interesting that some of the questions and statements’ used to determine the level of food insecurity are as follows; ‘Were you worried that your food would run out before you got money to buy more?’. “We couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals”. “We relied on only a few kinds of low cost food to feed our children because we were running out of money to buy food”. “In the last 12 months did you ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn’t enough money for food?” These are just some of the determining factors that define whether a household falls into the category of food insecure. As noted by the report these figures do not include homeless families or individuals, so the numbers could be even higher. Food security is about access on a regular basis to sufficiently nutritional food to sustain the health of your family.
Only 51% of Latinos are accessing the available food stamp program, according to National Council of La Raza in Dec 2006. In a report entitled “Sin Provecho: Latinos and Food Insecurity” it outline numerous aspects of this issue. One of the findings of the report based on previous studies noted that in many Hispanic communities there were 38% less fresh fruit and vegetable retailers than in areas with smaller Hispanic populations. Many of the retailers that are in the area do not have the full range of affordable food products that enable Latino families to have complete and nutritious diets.
Eligible Latinos are missing out on the food assistance programs. The same report continued that more than 3 million eligible Latinos are missing out. Part of the reason is the huge confusion surrounding the eligibility rules as the law has been changed a number of times.
Latino children are eligible for the National School breakfast and lunch program (NSLP) irrespective of immigration status
The law as it stands at the moment according to the research for this article “ migrant children, identified as eligible by a local school or district… are automatically eligible for free school meals without the need for the migrant family to fill out an application” (Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, Public Law 108-265). There is NO restriction for participation in these programs for children based on immigration status according to The Migrant Legal Action Program based in Washington DC, and the US Department of Agriculture. The best approach would be to speak directly to your child’s school to let them know you want your child to participate in the program. More information can be found at the US department of Agriculture web site www.fns.usda.gov (available in Spanish), or the Migrant Legal Action Program at www.mlap.org
The food stamp program (FSP) provides benefits through electronic benefit transfers or paper coupons, to eligible low-income households. These coupons can then be used to purchase food from participating retailers. According to the US Department of Agriculture the ‘Farm Bill’ restored food stamp benefits for qualified immigrants who have lived in the US as qualified immigrants for at least 5 years. Qualified immigrants are lawful permanent residents (holders of green cards).Certain non-citizens such as those admitted for humanitarian reasons and those admitted for permanent residence are also eligible for the program. Eligible household members can get food stamps even if there are other members of the household that are not eligible.
The potential to improve health and nutrition through government food and nutrition programs is significant especially for our children in school. As discussed in the report by National Council of La Raza (NCLR) those who participate in the food assistance programs show greater nutritional intake, medical savings, and enhanced heath status, and even a reduction in the rate of obesity due to greater access to more nutritional food.
The same NCLR report opened with a statement on the measure to which the US government holds itself on food security;” Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family, including food…” Exercise your rights.
Donna Maldonado-Schullo / AL DÍA | 07/10/09
Nearly 1 in 5 Latino households is suffering from food insecurity nationwide in one of the worlds richest countries. According to the latest US Department of Agriculture 2006 report on food security, Hispanics are disproportionately affected with 19.5 % of Latino households reporting food insecurity, well above the national average of 10.9% (Non Hispanic white average is 7.8%). The Tri State area is seeing an increase of households struggling to adequately feed their families. The averages nationwide for 2004-2006 were 11.3 %; Delaware went from 6.7% to 7.8%, Pennsylvania from 9.5% to 10% of households suffering from food insecurity. New Jersey was unique in lowering the rate to 7.7% from 8.6%. But again the prevalence of Hispanics suffering is increasing. In 2006 over 6.5 million of the 35.5 million people who lived in food insecure households were Hispanic.
What is meant by food insecurity? As defined by the same report, food security falls into two categories “low food security” is basically defined as a household at times uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food for all household members because they had insufficient money and other resources for food. Whereas “very low food security” is defined as multiple times the food intake was reduced and eating patterns disrupted due to inadequate resources for food.
It is interesting that some of the questions and statements’ used to determine the level of food insecurity are as follows; ‘Were you worried that your food would run out before you got money to buy more?’. “We couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals”. “We relied on only a few kinds of low cost food to feed our children because we were running out of money to buy food”. “In the last 12 months did you ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn’t enough money for food?” These are just some of the determining factors that define whether a household falls into the category of food insecure. As noted by the report these figures do not include homeless families or individuals, so the numbers could be even higher. Food security is about access on a regular basis to sufficiently nutritional food to sustain the health of your family.
Only 51% of Latinos are accessing the available food stamp program, according to National Council of La Raza in Dec 2006. In a report entitled “Sin Provecho: Latinos and Food Insecurity” it outline numerous aspects of this issue. One of the findings of the report based on previous studies noted that in many Hispanic communities there were 38% less fresh fruit and vegetable retailers than in areas with smaller Hispanic populations. Many of the retailers that are in the area do not have the full range of affordable food products that enable Latino families to have complete and nutritious diets.
Eligible Latinos are missing out on the food assistance programs. The same report continued that more than 3 million eligible Latinos are missing out. Part of the reason is the huge confusion surrounding the eligibility rules as the law has been changed a number of times.
Latino children are eligible for the National School breakfast and lunch program (NSLP) irrespective of immigration status
The law as it stands at the moment according to the research for this article “ migrant children, identified as eligible by a local school or district… are automatically eligible for free school meals without the need for the migrant family to fill out an application” (Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, Public Law 108-265). There is NO restriction for participation in these programs for children based on immigration status according to The Migrant Legal Action Program based in Washington DC, and the US Department of Agriculture. The best approach would be to speak directly to your child’s school to let them know you want your child to participate in the program. More information can be found at the US department of Agriculture web site www.fns.usda.gov (available in Spanish), or the Migrant Legal Action Program at www.mlap.org
The food stamp program (FSP) provides benefits through electronic benefit transfers or paper coupons, to eligible low-income households. These coupons can then be used to purchase food from participating retailers. According to the US Department of Agriculture the ‘Farm Bill’ restored food stamp benefits for qualified immigrants who have lived in the US as qualified immigrants for at least 5 years. Qualified immigrants are lawful permanent residents (holders of green cards).Certain non-citizens such as those admitted for humanitarian reasons and those admitted for permanent residence are also eligible for the program. Eligible household members can get food stamps even if there are other members of the household that are not eligible.
The potential to improve health and nutrition through government food and nutrition programs is significant especially for our children in school. As discussed in the report by National Council of La Raza (NCLR) those who participate in the food assistance programs show greater nutritional intake, medical savings, and enhanced heath status, and even a reduction in the rate of obesity due to greater access to more nutritional food.
The same NCLR report opened with a statement on the measure to which the US government holds itself on food security;” Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family, including food…” Exercise your rights.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Latino group launches wellness program
Progreso Latino Launches Wellness Program
PBN.com
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (April 21, 2009) – On April 16, Progreso Latino graduated 11 students who will work in its Wellness Center and advise fellow members of the Latino community about improving their general health and accessing healthcare. The Blue Health Angels Program was funded by a Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Community Health Grant.
“There is a very real disparity in Rhode Island in who gets excellent healthcare and who doesn’t,” said Ramon Martinez, the president and CEO of Progreso Latino. “We designed this program so we can help close that gap and improve the lives of our constituents. We thank our Blue Health Angels for enrolling in this special training so they can offer meaningful health literacy and health education advice. We’re also very thankful to Blue Cross for funding this initiative through the Community Health Grants program.”
The percentage of Hispanic/Latinos in R.I. who report having no health insurance is nearly four times higher than the white population and almost three times that of the overall state population. The percentage of Hispanics/Latinos who report being unable to afford to see a doctor is more than twice that of the white and overall state populations. (Office of Minority Health, R.I. Dept of Health, 2007).
“We strongly support prevention tactics that empower individuals to improve their health,” said Linda H. Newton, vice president of diversity & community relations, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. “We commend Progreso Latino for designing a program that promotes healthy choices and early detection and treatment.”
Progreso Latino founded its Wellness Center in 1996 with the goal of eliminating the disparity in access to health services that exists between the Latino community and the general populace. The Blue Health Angels will assist community members with health screenings; involve them in exercise classes; host educational workshops; provide referrals; and assist with applying for medical insurance and free/low-cost medical services.
“We recognize the value of education in combating disease,” said Martinez. “We want to help people avoid behaviors that put their health at risk, and assist them in identifying the early warning signs of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and other diseases so they can get treatment early.”
Progreso Latino is the largest bilingual, multicultural, empowerment community-based agency in the state of Rhode Island. The mission of the Wellness Center is to eliminate the disparity in access to health services that exists between the Latino community and the general population, and to provide the Latino community with information and education on topics such as HIV prevention, cancer awareness, diabetes, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, domestic violence, women’s health issues, substance abuse and many others.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state's leading health insurer and now covers more than 600,000 members. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The BlueAngel Community Health Grants (BACHG) program provides grants to deserving organizations that are working to address important health issues in Rhode Island. Since 2002, BCBSRI has donated more than $1.3 million through the program and the lives of more than 55,000 people have been impacted by the funded programs and services.
PBN.com
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (April 21, 2009) – On April 16, Progreso Latino graduated 11 students who will work in its Wellness Center and advise fellow members of the Latino community about improving their general health and accessing healthcare. The Blue Health Angels Program was funded by a Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Community Health Grant.
“There is a very real disparity in Rhode Island in who gets excellent healthcare and who doesn’t,” said Ramon Martinez, the president and CEO of Progreso Latino. “We designed this program so we can help close that gap and improve the lives of our constituents. We thank our Blue Health Angels for enrolling in this special training so they can offer meaningful health literacy and health education advice. We’re also very thankful to Blue Cross for funding this initiative through the Community Health Grants program.”
The percentage of Hispanic/Latinos in R.I. who report having no health insurance is nearly four times higher than the white population and almost three times that of the overall state population. The percentage of Hispanics/Latinos who report being unable to afford to see a doctor is more than twice that of the white and overall state populations. (Office of Minority Health, R.I. Dept of Health, 2007).
“We strongly support prevention tactics that empower individuals to improve their health,” said Linda H. Newton, vice president of diversity & community relations, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. “We commend Progreso Latino for designing a program that promotes healthy choices and early detection and treatment.”
Progreso Latino founded its Wellness Center in 1996 with the goal of eliminating the disparity in access to health services that exists between the Latino community and the general populace. The Blue Health Angels will assist community members with health screenings; involve them in exercise classes; host educational workshops; provide referrals; and assist with applying for medical insurance and free/low-cost medical services.
“We recognize the value of education in combating disease,” said Martinez. “We want to help people avoid behaviors that put their health at risk, and assist them in identifying the early warning signs of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and other diseases so they can get treatment early.”
Progreso Latino is the largest bilingual, multicultural, empowerment community-based agency in the state of Rhode Island. The mission of the Wellness Center is to eliminate the disparity in access to health services that exists between the Latino community and the general population, and to provide the Latino community with information and education on topics such as HIV prevention, cancer awareness, diabetes, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, domestic violence, women’s health issues, substance abuse and many others.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state's leading health insurer and now covers more than 600,000 members. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The BlueAngel Community Health Grants (BACHG) program provides grants to deserving organizations that are working to address important health issues in Rhode Island. Since 2002, BCBSRI has donated more than $1.3 million through the program and the lives of more than 55,000 people have been impacted by the funded programs and services.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Latino mental health centers debated
Latino community still unsure about future of mental health centers
by Dawn Rhodes, April 14, 2009
The uncertain future of mental-health resources on Chicago’s South Side means the city’s Latino community needs reliable services now more than ever, leaders of the Pilsen Wellness Center announced at a Tuesday news conference.
One week after Mayor Richard M. Daley surprisingly announced he was halting the closure of four South Side mental-health clinics, the Pilsen Wellness Center promised to extend its programs to clients served by the Back of the Yards Mental Health Center in Brighton Park, McKinley Park and Back of the Yards.
Although the Chicago Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that all four clinics will be up and running by April 20, that news provided no comfort to those at the Pilsen Wellness Center.
“That will affect the Latino community because it’s giving mixed messages,” said Patricia Perez, Division of Mental Health Director at the wellness center. “What is the consistency and what is the forecast for the future? Is this temporary, or is this going to be forever? It really puts more stressors and confusion into the whole system.”
Monica I. Masana, the center’s quality-assurance director, said there are other issues that necessitate reliable mental health services in the Latino community.
“The situation of being immigrants and having split families is something very deep and heavy for immigrants,” she said. “That, together with the economic situation, it really burdens them. Sometimes they cannot reach the services because they do not have the money to pay for counseling, and the drugs and the psychiatrists.”
Pilsen Wellness Center, which has been providing services for more than 40 years, is determined to compensate for any lack in mental health services to Chicago’s Latinos, said Perez.
"Latinos are a working community. Are we open late at night to service them? Yes, we are," she said. "Latinos are very collective and humanistic. Do we work with just the individual? Yes, but we also work with the family unit."
by Dawn Rhodes, April 14, 2009
The uncertain future of mental-health resources on Chicago’s South Side means the city’s Latino community needs reliable services now more than ever, leaders of the Pilsen Wellness Center announced at a Tuesday news conference.
One week after Mayor Richard M. Daley surprisingly announced he was halting the closure of four South Side mental-health clinics, the Pilsen Wellness Center promised to extend its programs to clients served by the Back of the Yards Mental Health Center in Brighton Park, McKinley Park and Back of the Yards.
Although the Chicago Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that all four clinics will be up and running by April 20, that news provided no comfort to those at the Pilsen Wellness Center.
“That will affect the Latino community because it’s giving mixed messages,” said Patricia Perez, Division of Mental Health Director at the wellness center. “What is the consistency and what is the forecast for the future? Is this temporary, or is this going to be forever? It really puts more stressors and confusion into the whole system.”
Monica I. Masana, the center’s quality-assurance director, said there are other issues that necessitate reliable mental health services in the Latino community.
“The situation of being immigrants and having split families is something very deep and heavy for immigrants,” she said. “That, together with the economic situation, it really burdens them. Sometimes they cannot reach the services because they do not have the money to pay for counseling, and the drugs and the psychiatrists.”
Pilsen Wellness Center, which has been providing services for more than 40 years, is determined to compensate for any lack in mental health services to Chicago’s Latinos, said Perez.
"Latinos are a working community. Are we open late at night to service them? Yes, we are," she said. "Latinos are very collective and humanistic. Do we work with just the individual? Yes, but we also work with the family unit."
Friday, March 27, 2009
Hispanics look for cosmetic surgery
More Hispanics opt for nip and tuck
Plastic surgery tailored to 'ethnic look'
Jennifer Harper, Washington Times, March 26, 2009
Asians accounted for 7 percent of plastic surgeries in 2007. The number of Hispanics opting for those surgeries is increasing.
Viva vanity.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of the American population who are opting for a little nip and tuck. Disapproval of cosmetic surgery within that ethnic community has lessened while techniques that preserve distinctive Latin features have improved, say physicians.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported Wednesday that the number of Hispanics getting some improvement work done rose by 19 percent in the past year. The number of whites fell by 3 percent, however.
"We're seeing a rise in Hispanics opting for cosmetic procedures that coincides with the growth we're seeing in the nation's population," said Dr. John W. Canady, president of the Illinois-based group.
"There's less social stigma, as well as advances in procedures that allow patients to maintain their ethnic look. While the majority of patients continue to be Caucasian, the profile of the typical patient is changing," he said.
The most popular surgical procedure among Hispanics is liposuction, followed by breast enlargement and nose reshaping. More than 1.3 million had work done, compared with 8.8 million whites.
"I put off my vacation to do this. And I'm glad that I did it. Me being a Latina, it was very important for me to look natural," said Raquel Laurent, 41, and of Mexican descent.
She recently had her skin resurfaced by laser and smile lines plumped with injectable filler. "No matter what the ethnic background is, it's very important to feel better about yourself," added Ms. Laurent, of Morris, Ill.
The trend has not gone unnoticed. The Rodeo Drive Rhinoplasty center in Beverly Hills, Calif., for example, offers a distinct "ethnic" nose reshaping for their clientele - more than half of which are nonwhites.
"It is best to address the noses of various ethnic groups such as African-Americans and Hispanics and Asians individually. 'Cookie cutter' approaches to rhinoplasty rarely work well, and this is especially the case with non-Caucasian nose surgery," the group advises patients.
Dr. Tripti Burt, a plastic surgeon in Morris, said her fellow surgeons across the country are noticing an uptick in the number of Hispanic patients.
"They have a tightknit community. Word of mouth is very important to them, and it's helping grow this business," she said.
The number of blacks opting for cosmetic procedures is also growing, up by 10 percent; the number has increased by 5 percent among Asian-Americans, according to the newly released statistics.
Meanwhile, frugality trumps vanity: The bad economy has left some Americans with saggy guts, small breasts, droopy eyes, hairy skin and big noses. Fewer people are looking to surgery to correct imperfections.
The number of liposuctions has fallen by 19 percent in the past year. Tummy tucks have dropped by 18 percent. Breast augmentation is down by 12 percent, eyelid surgery by 8 percent, dermabrasion by 6 percent. Nose reshaping and laser hair removal are each down by 2 percent.
"Like most sectors, plastic surgery is feeling the effects of the economic downturn," Dr. Canady observed.
And no wonder. Improving one's appearance can prove a major financial consideration. The surgeon's fee alone for a typical tummy tuck weighs in at about $5,200. A "buttock lift" is $4,700, breast implants about $3,300.
Americans spent $10.2 billion on such things in 2008, the group said, down from $12.4 billion in 2007.
Plastic surgery tailored to 'ethnic look'
Jennifer Harper, Washington Times, March 26, 2009
Asians accounted for 7 percent of plastic surgeries in 2007. The number of Hispanics opting for those surgeries is increasing.
Viva vanity.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of the American population who are opting for a little nip and tuck. Disapproval of cosmetic surgery within that ethnic community has lessened while techniques that preserve distinctive Latin features have improved, say physicians.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported Wednesday that the number of Hispanics getting some improvement work done rose by 19 percent in the past year. The number of whites fell by 3 percent, however.
"We're seeing a rise in Hispanics opting for cosmetic procedures that coincides with the growth we're seeing in the nation's population," said Dr. John W. Canady, president of the Illinois-based group.
"There's less social stigma, as well as advances in procedures that allow patients to maintain their ethnic look. While the majority of patients continue to be Caucasian, the profile of the typical patient is changing," he said.
The most popular surgical procedure among Hispanics is liposuction, followed by breast enlargement and nose reshaping. More than 1.3 million had work done, compared with 8.8 million whites.
"I put off my vacation to do this. And I'm glad that I did it. Me being a Latina, it was very important for me to look natural," said Raquel Laurent, 41, and of Mexican descent.
She recently had her skin resurfaced by laser and smile lines plumped with injectable filler. "No matter what the ethnic background is, it's very important to feel better about yourself," added Ms. Laurent, of Morris, Ill.
The trend has not gone unnoticed. The Rodeo Drive Rhinoplasty center in Beverly Hills, Calif., for example, offers a distinct "ethnic" nose reshaping for their clientele - more than half of which are nonwhites.
"It is best to address the noses of various ethnic groups such as African-Americans and Hispanics and Asians individually. 'Cookie cutter' approaches to rhinoplasty rarely work well, and this is especially the case with non-Caucasian nose surgery," the group advises patients.
Dr. Tripti Burt, a plastic surgeon in Morris, said her fellow surgeons across the country are noticing an uptick in the number of Hispanic patients.
"They have a tightknit community. Word of mouth is very important to them, and it's helping grow this business," she said.
The number of blacks opting for cosmetic procedures is also growing, up by 10 percent; the number has increased by 5 percent among Asian-Americans, according to the newly released statistics.
Meanwhile, frugality trumps vanity: The bad economy has left some Americans with saggy guts, small breasts, droopy eyes, hairy skin and big noses. Fewer people are looking to surgery to correct imperfections.
The number of liposuctions has fallen by 19 percent in the past year. Tummy tucks have dropped by 18 percent. Breast augmentation is down by 12 percent, eyelid surgery by 8 percent, dermabrasion by 6 percent. Nose reshaping and laser hair removal are each down by 2 percent.
"Like most sectors, plastic surgery is feeling the effects of the economic downturn," Dr. Canady observed.
And no wonder. Improving one's appearance can prove a major financial consideration. The surgeon's fee alone for a typical tummy tuck weighs in at about $5,200. A "buttock lift" is $4,700, breast implants about $3,300.
Americans spent $10.2 billion on such things in 2008, the group said, down from $12.4 billion in 2007.
April is Hispanic Safety Month
April designated Hispanic Safety Month
Rgj.com, STAFF REPORT • March 23, 2009
With Nevada’s Hispanic population steadily increasing, safety on the job remains an important issue for the state’s employers. To help promote the significance of this topic, the Safety Consultation and Training Section of the State of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations has designated April as Hispanic Safety Month.
Advertisement
For the fifth consecutive year, Nevada will use the month of April to highlight and support the well-being of Nevada’s Hispanic workforce.
Nationally, the Hispanic workforce experiences a high number of injuries and fatalities on the job. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the 908 fatal work injuries involving Hispanic or Latino workers in 2007, the highest number of fatalities after the Caucasian workforce.
Nevada is not immune to these statistics. In 2007, the last complete year of data, 18 percent of fatal occupational injuries and 29 percent of non-fatal injuries in Nevada involved employees of Hispanic or Latino origin. This number may be understated as Hispanic workers’ injuries are not often reported due to citizenship issues.
“Although we are experiencing a smaller workforce, safety training to Nevada’s Hispanic workforce is a critical part of ensuring safer environments on job sites across the state,” said Jan Rosenberg, chief administrative officer for SCATS. “With a smaller workforce, employers become less willing for their employees to attend safety trainings.
However, without this safety training, the actual cost of a lost time injury exceeds the cost of safety training.”
Free bilingual classes on safety and health in the workplace will be offered in Reno, Las Vegas and Elko during Hispanic Safety Month, and periodically throughout the year, to educate Nevada’s Hispanic employees on how to remain safe in the workplace.
Rgj.com, STAFF REPORT • March 23, 2009
With Nevada’s Hispanic population steadily increasing, safety on the job remains an important issue for the state’s employers. To help promote the significance of this topic, the Safety Consultation and Training Section of the State of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations has designated April as Hispanic Safety Month.
Advertisement
For the fifth consecutive year, Nevada will use the month of April to highlight and support the well-being of Nevada’s Hispanic workforce.
Nationally, the Hispanic workforce experiences a high number of injuries and fatalities on the job. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the 908 fatal work injuries involving Hispanic or Latino workers in 2007, the highest number of fatalities after the Caucasian workforce.
Nevada is not immune to these statistics. In 2007, the last complete year of data, 18 percent of fatal occupational injuries and 29 percent of non-fatal injuries in Nevada involved employees of Hispanic or Latino origin. This number may be understated as Hispanic workers’ injuries are not often reported due to citizenship issues.
“Although we are experiencing a smaller workforce, safety training to Nevada’s Hispanic workforce is a critical part of ensuring safer environments on job sites across the state,” said Jan Rosenberg, chief administrative officer for SCATS. “With a smaller workforce, employers become less willing for their employees to attend safety trainings.
However, without this safety training, the actual cost of a lost time injury exceeds the cost of safety training.”
Free bilingual classes on safety and health in the workplace will be offered in Reno, Las Vegas and Elko during Hispanic Safety Month, and periodically throughout the year, to educate Nevada’s Hispanic employees on how to remain safe in the workplace.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Latino forum asks to break the silence on domestic violence
Domestic violence forum in Dover aimed at Latinos
'Bottom line: Break the silence,' detective tells audience of 120
Daily Record • March 10, 2009
DOVER -- Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi led a forum Monday night in Dover at Casa Puerto Rico on Blackwell Street that attracted 120 people who came to hear a message of hope about Hispanic victims of domestic violence.
"We are here tonight to reach out and calm fears while reporting crime, especially the crime of domestic violence," Bianchi said.
Officials last night noted police have the authority to safeguard a victim from further abuse, arrest the abuser and help a victim seek and obtain a restraining order. They are not questioned about their immigration status.
"Bottom line: break the silence," Detective Keisha Higgs of the Prosecutor's Office said. "The role of law enforcement is to help, not harm. We realize there are many factors that prevent women from getting help. But please end the silence. Domestic violence in your community is a growing epidemic."
To help Hispanic victims of domestic violence, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Jersey Battered Women's Service, the Morris County Office of Hispanic Affairs, the Morris County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Department of Human Services have partnered to expand, improve and make accessible programs by offering help in Spanish.
The speakers Monday night included representatives from Legal Services of New Jersey, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Jersey Center for Non-Violence and the Jersey Battered Women's Service.
Those familiar with domestic-violence trends said many cases involving Hispanics go unreported due to language barriers and a lack of faith in law enforcement based on experiences in their native country.
There also is a lot of fear -- of deportation, of losing the family's breadwinner and of threats and reprisals.
'Bottom line: Break the silence,' detective tells audience of 120
Daily Record • March 10, 2009
DOVER -- Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi led a forum Monday night in Dover at Casa Puerto Rico on Blackwell Street that attracted 120 people who came to hear a message of hope about Hispanic victims of domestic violence.
"We are here tonight to reach out and calm fears while reporting crime, especially the crime of domestic violence," Bianchi said.
Officials last night noted police have the authority to safeguard a victim from further abuse, arrest the abuser and help a victim seek and obtain a restraining order. They are not questioned about their immigration status.
"Bottom line: break the silence," Detective Keisha Higgs of the Prosecutor's Office said. "The role of law enforcement is to help, not harm. We realize there are many factors that prevent women from getting help. But please end the silence. Domestic violence in your community is a growing epidemic."
To help Hispanic victims of domestic violence, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Jersey Battered Women's Service, the Morris County Office of Hispanic Affairs, the Morris County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Department of Human Services have partnered to expand, improve and make accessible programs by offering help in Spanish.
The speakers Monday night included representatives from Legal Services of New Jersey, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Jersey Center for Non-Violence and the Jersey Battered Women's Service.
Those familiar with domestic-violence trends said many cases involving Hispanics go unreported due to language barriers and a lack of faith in law enforcement based on experiences in their native country.
There also is a lot of fear -- of deportation, of losing the family's breadwinner and of threats and reprisals.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hispanic children taught nutrition through puppets
Puppet Shows Help Hispanic Health Council Promote Proper Nutrition
KATHLEEN MEGAN | The Hartford Courant February 11, 2009
The 4-year-olds' eyes are glued on a spiky-haired puppet in a jeans jumpsuit whose name is Tommy.
Tommy, who watches too much television, is cajoled into going to a basketball practice. When he gets thirsty at practice, he asks, "Is there a soda machine around here?"
"Ahhh, nooo" comes a voice out of nowhere. Turns out it's a talking water bottle puppet — Ms. Water — who has come to warn Tommy about soda.
"Soda makes you thirstier, and it has a lot of sugar that's not good for you," Ms. Water tells Tommy.
Minutes later, Maria Arroyo, the puppeteer, appears from behind the mini-puppet theater and quizzes her rapt audience in Marilyn Viera's pre-kindergarten class at Burr Elementary School in Hartford.
"How many glasses of water should you drink a day?" Arroyo asks.
"Six to eight," comes the answer.
"This boy wants to lie around. ... What's he need to do?" she asks.
"Exercise."
"Should he eat candy a lot?"
"No, fruits and vegetables."
For more than a decade, the Hispanic Health Council, in partnership with the University of Connecticut, has been educating Hartford's young students with an entertaining series of six puppet shows that carry serious messages about nutrition, obesity, exercise, food safety, diabetes and heart disease. Grace Damio, director of the Center for Community Nutrition at the Hispanic Health Council, said it does about 400 puppet shows every year.
And while you might wonder how much a 4-year-old or even an 8-year-old might retain, it's clear at this recent performance that these puppets reach kids.
"I see it every year," said Ginnene Branch, a kindergarten teacher at Kennelly School in Hartford. Before the first couple of puppet shows, many of the children are not interested in the healthful snacks — fruits and vegetables — that she often brings to school for them.
"I don't care how much we tell kids, 'Vegetables are good for you; eat something from each of the food groups.' Kids will say, 'I don't like vegetables.' Some of the kids wouldn't even eat fruit," said Branch.
But after a couple of puppet-show discussions on nutrition and health, she said, "It's like night and day." She'll ask, "Who wants fruit? Everyone wants fruit. Who wants vegetables? Everyone does."
The show is part of a multifaceted effort — with additional programs and materials that reach parents and teenagers as well as small children — designed to address the nutritional and health needs for the Latino community.
A recent study found that 41 percent of a sample of children ages 6 to 11 in the Hartford school system are either obese or at risk of obesity, compared with a national average for that age group of 33.3 percent, according to Dr. Lee Pachter, a pediatric researcher at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and a professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
In Connecticut, 64.6 percent of Latino adults are obese or overweight, compared with 64.5 percent of blacks, and 58.9 percent of whites, according to statistics provided by the Hispanic Health Council.
With the extra weight comes greater risks for diabetes and other diseases. In Connecticut in 2007, 6.7 percent of white adults were told by their doctors that they have diabetes, compared with 15.8 percent of blacks and 8.1 percent of Hispanics.
Why the disparity?
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, who is director of the Connecticut Hispanic Family Nutrition Program and a professor of nutrition and public health at the University of Connecticut, said the main explanation is lack of access to healthful foods and lack of exercise. "Healthy foods are much more expensive," he said.
In addition, he said, there is a lack of green space in urban low-income areas and a lack of opportunity and money for sports activities. "Latinos and low-income groups are very vulnerable to the marketing of unhealthy foods by the food industry," said Pérez-Escamilla.
Taking Message Home
Pérez-Escamilla said children are "the best ambassadors" when "they go home and share the healthy nutrition messages we give to them. … They are a part of the movement … convincing parents of the need to make a change."
Children play a very crucial role, he said, particularly in families where the parents don't speak English very well. These kids often play a more central role in terms of the decision-making about diet and food purchases than do most kids, he said.
Pachter concurred that it is very important to reach children when they are young. "I really feel the future of obesity prevention is going to start younger and younger and younger. I think that the habits that lead to obesity are formulated very early in life."
Back in the classroom at Burr, the kids are telling Arroyo all about their healthy habits. Uriana Ortega says, "I have a cousin who doesn't eat fruit, but I eat a lot of fruit at my grandma's house."
Makayla Esquinlin says she likes broccoli.
Later, Jennifer Fagalar, Uriana's mother, said the 4-year-old definitely carries the healthy-habits messages home. When her mother offers her a treat, she goes for fruit and vegetables, not candy.
Said Fagalar: "She said junk food won't let her grow like she's supposed to."
KATHLEEN MEGAN | The Hartford Courant February 11, 2009
The 4-year-olds' eyes are glued on a spiky-haired puppet in a jeans jumpsuit whose name is Tommy.
Tommy, who watches too much television, is cajoled into going to a basketball practice. When he gets thirsty at practice, he asks, "Is there a soda machine around here?"
"Ahhh, nooo" comes a voice out of nowhere. Turns out it's a talking water bottle puppet — Ms. Water — who has come to warn Tommy about soda.
"Soda makes you thirstier, and it has a lot of sugar that's not good for you," Ms. Water tells Tommy.
Minutes later, Maria Arroyo, the puppeteer, appears from behind the mini-puppet theater and quizzes her rapt audience in Marilyn Viera's pre-kindergarten class at Burr Elementary School in Hartford.
"How many glasses of water should you drink a day?" Arroyo asks.
"Six to eight," comes the answer.
"This boy wants to lie around. ... What's he need to do?" she asks.
"Exercise."
"Should he eat candy a lot?"
"No, fruits and vegetables."
For more than a decade, the Hispanic Health Council, in partnership with the University of Connecticut, has been educating Hartford's young students with an entertaining series of six puppet shows that carry serious messages about nutrition, obesity, exercise, food safety, diabetes and heart disease. Grace Damio, director of the Center for Community Nutrition at the Hispanic Health Council, said it does about 400 puppet shows every year.
And while you might wonder how much a 4-year-old or even an 8-year-old might retain, it's clear at this recent performance that these puppets reach kids.
"I see it every year," said Ginnene Branch, a kindergarten teacher at Kennelly School in Hartford. Before the first couple of puppet shows, many of the children are not interested in the healthful snacks — fruits and vegetables — that she often brings to school for them.
"I don't care how much we tell kids, 'Vegetables are good for you; eat something from each of the food groups.' Kids will say, 'I don't like vegetables.' Some of the kids wouldn't even eat fruit," said Branch.
But after a couple of puppet-show discussions on nutrition and health, she said, "It's like night and day." She'll ask, "Who wants fruit? Everyone wants fruit. Who wants vegetables? Everyone does."
The show is part of a multifaceted effort — with additional programs and materials that reach parents and teenagers as well as small children — designed to address the nutritional and health needs for the Latino community.
A recent study found that 41 percent of a sample of children ages 6 to 11 in the Hartford school system are either obese or at risk of obesity, compared with a national average for that age group of 33.3 percent, according to Dr. Lee Pachter, a pediatric researcher at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and a professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
In Connecticut, 64.6 percent of Latino adults are obese or overweight, compared with 64.5 percent of blacks, and 58.9 percent of whites, according to statistics provided by the Hispanic Health Council.
With the extra weight comes greater risks for diabetes and other diseases. In Connecticut in 2007, 6.7 percent of white adults were told by their doctors that they have diabetes, compared with 15.8 percent of blacks and 8.1 percent of Hispanics.
Why the disparity?
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, who is director of the Connecticut Hispanic Family Nutrition Program and a professor of nutrition and public health at the University of Connecticut, said the main explanation is lack of access to healthful foods and lack of exercise. "Healthy foods are much more expensive," he said.
In addition, he said, there is a lack of green space in urban low-income areas and a lack of opportunity and money for sports activities. "Latinos and low-income groups are very vulnerable to the marketing of unhealthy foods by the food industry," said Pérez-Escamilla.
Taking Message Home
Pérez-Escamilla said children are "the best ambassadors" when "they go home and share the healthy nutrition messages we give to them. … They are a part of the movement … convincing parents of the need to make a change."
Children play a very crucial role, he said, particularly in families where the parents don't speak English very well. These kids often play a more central role in terms of the decision-making about diet and food purchases than do most kids, he said.
Pachter concurred that it is very important to reach children when they are young. "I really feel the future of obesity prevention is going to start younger and younger and younger. I think that the habits that lead to obesity are formulated very early in life."
Back in the classroom at Burr, the kids are telling Arroyo all about their healthy habits. Uriana Ortega says, "I have a cousin who doesn't eat fruit, but I eat a lot of fruit at my grandma's house."
Makayla Esquinlin says she likes broccoli.
Later, Jennifer Fagalar, Uriana's mother, said the 4-year-old definitely carries the healthy-habits messages home. When her mother offers her a treat, she goes for fruit and vegetables, not candy.
Said Fagalar: "She said junk food won't let her grow like she's supposed to."
Hispanics become targets from midwife births
Midwife births raise questions about citizenship
By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN
ALAMO, Texas (AP) — The citizenship of hundreds, possibly thousands, of people who insist they are Americans is being called into question because they were delivered by midwives near the U.S.-Mexico border. The federal government's doubts have arisen as many people in the border region try to meet a June 1 deadline to obtain U.S. passports so they can freely cross from one country to the other.
The people delivered by midwives have documents such as birth certificates and medical records. But the agency that grants passports is challenging the credibility of those papers, citing a history of some midwives fraudulently registering Mexican-born babies as American.
The passport applications being questioned include those of children of Mexican women who crossed the border to give birth in the United States, and even employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency who were born on the border and now work to protect it.
The government has "effectively reduced to second-class citizenship status an entire swath of passport applicants based solely on their being of Mexican or Latino descent and having been delivered by midwives in nonhospital settings in Southwestern border states," according to a federal lawsuit against the State Department filed last year in the border town of McAllen, about 120 miles south of Corpus Christi.
Immigration attorneys and the American Civil Liberties Union hope to have the case certified as a class action because they believe thousands of people could be affected, with most still living near the border.
Since 1960, 75 Texas midwives have been convicted of fraudulently registering Mexican-born babies as American. At one point, the government assembled a list of nearly 250 "suspicious" midwives but never explained what made them suspicious.
State Department spokesman Andy Laine declined to comment because of the litigation. The agency also declined to release statistics on passport application refusals.
After June 1, anyone re-entering the United States from Mexico or Canada will have to show a passport, not just a driver's license and birth certificate, which are the only current requirements.
For families who have lived in the area for generations, the border is just a river in the middle of one community. Many people live on one side of the border and work on the other.
"Going back and forth is as natural for them ... as going across town is for the rest of us," said Lisa Graybill, legal director for the ACLU in Texas.
If the lawsuit is not resolved before June 1, families "will have to choose if you're going to live in Mexico or you're going to live in the U.S. You won't be able to cross," said Lisa Brodyaga, the immigration attorney who filed the lawsuit against the State Department.
Anna Karen Ramirez had to sue the State Department to get her passport, even though she had a birth certificate, medical records and receipts from her 1989 birth at a clinic in Hidalgo, just south of McAllen. She also had signatures of two police officers who witnessed the event.
Ramirez's parents lived in Mexico and raised their daughter there. But they decided to have their child in the United States.
With the deadline looming, and the State Department suspicious of her citizenship, the family met several times with U.S. consular officials to obtain a passport, but their request was refused.
Ramirez's father, Narciso, drives a taxi back and forth across the border every day. He said he was warned that the family's dogged pursuit of the matter could threaten the visa that allowed him to operate his cab.
Anna Ramirez sued, and while waiting, voted unchallenged in the U.S. presidential election. A month later, she received her passport but never got a clear statement of citizenship.
"Every 10 years she's going to have to prove she's a U.S. citizen" to renew her passport, said her attorney, Naomi Jiyoung Bang.
The State Department practices are "a holdover from an older, less-regulated world," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for more restrictive immigration laws. "It's what happens when modern standards collide with old country practices."
Krikorian said the government cannot just believe everyone, nor can it turn down everyone delivered by a midwife.
Because Ramirez is young, her parents were able to find documents the government requested. The midwife who delivered her was still alive and able to testify. They could also afford to hire an attorney to help.
David Hernandez had a harder time locating evidence.
He was born in San Benito, Texas, in 1964, to a Mexican mother who was visiting friends when she went into labor. Hernandez was delivered by a midwife who appeared on the suspicious midwife list, though without a conviction. He returned to Mexico with his mother.
The two moved back to the U.S. a few years later. He attended schools in Texas and served in the Army.
In response to government requests, he collected mounds of documentation including papers from his military service, immunization and baptismal records, and witness affidavits. When he requested his school records, he was told that his elementary school papers no longer existed.
In April 2008, the government refused his passport application.
"I was born here," he said last fall when the ACLU took on the case. "I've lived and worked here and served in the Army. I feel betrayed, like my country is stabbing me in the back just because my mother didn't have the luxury of having me in a hospital."
By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN
ALAMO, Texas (AP) — The citizenship of hundreds, possibly thousands, of people who insist they are Americans is being called into question because they were delivered by midwives near the U.S.-Mexico border. The federal government's doubts have arisen as many people in the border region try to meet a June 1 deadline to obtain U.S. passports so they can freely cross from one country to the other.
The people delivered by midwives have documents such as birth certificates and medical records. But the agency that grants passports is challenging the credibility of those papers, citing a history of some midwives fraudulently registering Mexican-born babies as American.
The passport applications being questioned include those of children of Mexican women who crossed the border to give birth in the United States, and even employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency who were born on the border and now work to protect it.
The government has "effectively reduced to second-class citizenship status an entire swath of passport applicants based solely on their being of Mexican or Latino descent and having been delivered by midwives in nonhospital settings in Southwestern border states," according to a federal lawsuit against the State Department filed last year in the border town of McAllen, about 120 miles south of Corpus Christi.
Immigration attorneys and the American Civil Liberties Union hope to have the case certified as a class action because they believe thousands of people could be affected, with most still living near the border.
Since 1960, 75 Texas midwives have been convicted of fraudulently registering Mexican-born babies as American. At one point, the government assembled a list of nearly 250 "suspicious" midwives but never explained what made them suspicious.
State Department spokesman Andy Laine declined to comment because of the litigation. The agency also declined to release statistics on passport application refusals.
After June 1, anyone re-entering the United States from Mexico or Canada will have to show a passport, not just a driver's license and birth certificate, which are the only current requirements.
For families who have lived in the area for generations, the border is just a river in the middle of one community. Many people live on one side of the border and work on the other.
"Going back and forth is as natural for them ... as going across town is for the rest of us," said Lisa Graybill, legal director for the ACLU in Texas.
If the lawsuit is not resolved before June 1, families "will have to choose if you're going to live in Mexico or you're going to live in the U.S. You won't be able to cross," said Lisa Brodyaga, the immigration attorney who filed the lawsuit against the State Department.
Anna Karen Ramirez had to sue the State Department to get her passport, even though she had a birth certificate, medical records and receipts from her 1989 birth at a clinic in Hidalgo, just south of McAllen. She also had signatures of two police officers who witnessed the event.
Ramirez's parents lived in Mexico and raised their daughter there. But they decided to have their child in the United States.
With the deadline looming, and the State Department suspicious of her citizenship, the family met several times with U.S. consular officials to obtain a passport, but their request was refused.
Ramirez's father, Narciso, drives a taxi back and forth across the border every day. He said he was warned that the family's dogged pursuit of the matter could threaten the visa that allowed him to operate his cab.
Anna Ramirez sued, and while waiting, voted unchallenged in the U.S. presidential election. A month later, she received her passport but never got a clear statement of citizenship.
"Every 10 years she's going to have to prove she's a U.S. citizen" to renew her passport, said her attorney, Naomi Jiyoung Bang.
The State Department practices are "a holdover from an older, less-regulated world," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for more restrictive immigration laws. "It's what happens when modern standards collide with old country practices."
Krikorian said the government cannot just believe everyone, nor can it turn down everyone delivered by a midwife.
Because Ramirez is young, her parents were able to find documents the government requested. The midwife who delivered her was still alive and able to testify. They could also afford to hire an attorney to help.
David Hernandez had a harder time locating evidence.
He was born in San Benito, Texas, in 1964, to a Mexican mother who was visiting friends when she went into labor. Hernandez was delivered by a midwife who appeared on the suspicious midwife list, though without a conviction. He returned to Mexico with his mother.
The two moved back to the U.S. a few years later. He attended schools in Texas and served in the Army.
In response to government requests, he collected mounds of documentation including papers from his military service, immunization and baptismal records, and witness affidavits. When he requested his school records, he was told that his elementary school papers no longer existed.
In April 2008, the government refused his passport application.
"I was born here," he said last fall when the ACLU took on the case. "I've lived and worked here and served in the Army. I feel betrayed, like my country is stabbing me in the back just because my mother didn't have the luxury of having me in a hospital."
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Hispanic health efforts receive grants from Aetna
Aetna announces $790K in 2008 grants, 75% in Southern California
San Francisco Business Times - by Chris Rauber
Aetna, the huge national health insurance company, and its Aetna Foundation last year made grants to California nonprofits totaling $790,000, nearly 75 percent of them in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, officials at its Walnut Creek-based regional office said Thursday.
Community grants and sponsorships in Northern California totaled $150,000, and focused on education and “improving the lives of the underserved,” Aetna said.
They went to six recipients:
* The California Medical Association Foundation for its Diabetes Self Management initiative, $37,500.
* The University of California, San Francisco Foundation for its Underrepresented Minority Nursing program, $37,500.
* Oakland’s Street Level Health Project, to help fund its Project Lideres de Salud/Leaders in Health mental health program for low-income Hispanic immigrants in the Bay Area, $25,000.
* Oakland’s Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation for its Healthy Eating Active Living program, $22,500.
* The American Cancer Society, two grants totaling $22,500, including $22,000 for the Relay for Life fund raiser in San Ramon.
* The American Heart Association, East Bay Division, $5,000 to co-sponsor the East Bay Walk to fight heart disease and stroke.
Aetna also contributed $50,000 to three Fresno nonprofits -- the West Fresno Health Care Center, Comprehensive Youth Services of Fresno and The Ronald McDonald House -- and $590,000 to a host of Los Angeles area recipients, including the National Black MBA Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, Los Angeles Christian Health Centers, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Students Run America, and 18 other organizations.
The company, which distributed more than $25 million in grants nationwide last year, told the San Francisco Business Times that it focuses on “health initiatives” as a key funding strategy, along with company-targeted “growth markets” and regions where its employees live and work. That helps explain why it gave the bulk of its 2008 California grants to organizations in Southern California, where it has eight offices, as opposed to just three in Northern California, officials said in Feb. 6 comments to the San Francisco Business Times.
Last year’s “targeted growth markets” in California included the Hispanic market in Los Angeles and the Asian and Hispanic markets in San Francisco, the company said, adding: “While funding amounts differ, Aetna is just as committed to supporting nonprofits in Northern California as we are in Southern California.”
An Aetna spokeswoman also noted that the company and foundation gave $500,000 to UC Davis "a little over a year ago," an indication that its overall giving isn't tilted towards Southern California.
crauber@bizjournals.com / (415) 288-4946
San Francisco Business Times - by Chris Rauber
Aetna, the huge national health insurance company, and its Aetna Foundation last year made grants to California nonprofits totaling $790,000, nearly 75 percent of them in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, officials at its Walnut Creek-based regional office said Thursday.
Community grants and sponsorships in Northern California totaled $150,000, and focused on education and “improving the lives of the underserved,” Aetna said.
They went to six recipients:
* The California Medical Association Foundation for its Diabetes Self Management initiative, $37,500.
* The University of California, San Francisco Foundation for its Underrepresented Minority Nursing program, $37,500.
* Oakland’s Street Level Health Project, to help fund its Project Lideres de Salud/Leaders in Health mental health program for low-income Hispanic immigrants in the Bay Area, $25,000.
* Oakland’s Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation for its Healthy Eating Active Living program, $22,500.
* The American Cancer Society, two grants totaling $22,500, including $22,000 for the Relay for Life fund raiser in San Ramon.
* The American Heart Association, East Bay Division, $5,000 to co-sponsor the East Bay Walk to fight heart disease and stroke.
Aetna also contributed $50,000 to three Fresno nonprofits -- the West Fresno Health Care Center, Comprehensive Youth Services of Fresno and The Ronald McDonald House -- and $590,000 to a host of Los Angeles area recipients, including the National Black MBA Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, Los Angeles Christian Health Centers, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Students Run America, and 18 other organizations.
The company, which distributed more than $25 million in grants nationwide last year, told the San Francisco Business Times that it focuses on “health initiatives” as a key funding strategy, along with company-targeted “growth markets” and regions where its employees live and work. That helps explain why it gave the bulk of its 2008 California grants to organizations in Southern California, where it has eight offices, as opposed to just three in Northern California, officials said in Feb. 6 comments to the San Francisco Business Times.
Last year’s “targeted growth markets” in California included the Hispanic market in Los Angeles and the Asian and Hispanic markets in San Francisco, the company said, adding: “While funding amounts differ, Aetna is just as committed to supporting nonprofits in Northern California as we are in Southern California.”
An Aetna spokeswoman also noted that the company and foundation gave $500,000 to UC Davis "a little over a year ago," an indication that its overall giving isn't tilted towards Southern California.
crauber@bizjournals.com / (415) 288-4946
Friday, February 6, 2009
Latino families helped through Kraft Foods program
KRAFT Foods Help Improve Nutritional Well-Being of Latino Families with Salsa, Sabor y Salud
Latino families benefit from national health education program
EXTRA NEWS
Kraft Foods is helping Latino families improve their well-being through Salsa, Sabor y Salud (Food, Fun and Fitness), a first-of-its-kind national bilingual healthy lifestyles program developed by the National Latino Children's Institute (NLCI) in conjunction with Kraft Foods. Kraft has donated $6.5 million in grants since 2004 to the program, which was designed as a response to the growing obesity rates and inactivity levels among Latino children in America.
Salsa, Sabor y Saludfocuses on providing creative, culturally relevant tools designed to encourage healthy lifestyles among Latino families. The eight-session bilingual (Spanish/English) program is offered at no cost through participating local organizations to teach families how to choose nutritious foods and eat sensible portions. The program further encourages development of lifelong healthy eating habits in young children and emphasizes the importance of daily physical activity.
"Salsa, Sabor y Saludengages Latino families by integrating culturally relevant songs, games and traditions to promote hands-on learning about making nutritious food choices and increasing physical activity to build cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and flexibility," said Josephine Garza, executive director, NLCI.
Bilingual program facilitators utilize a Salsa, Sabor y Saludcurriculum kit, complete with fun games
Latino families benefit from national health education program
EXTRA NEWS
Kraft Foods is helping Latino families improve their well-being through Salsa, Sabor y Salud (Food, Fun and Fitness), a first-of-its-kind national bilingual healthy lifestyles program developed by the National Latino Children's Institute (NLCI) in conjunction with Kraft Foods. Kraft has donated $6.5 million in grants since 2004 to the program, which was designed as a response to the growing obesity rates and inactivity levels among Latino children in America.
Salsa, Sabor y Saludfocuses on providing creative, culturally relevant tools designed to encourage healthy lifestyles among Latino families. The eight-session bilingual (Spanish/English) program is offered at no cost through participating local organizations to teach families how to choose nutritious foods and eat sensible portions. The program further encourages development of lifelong healthy eating habits in young children and emphasizes the importance of daily physical activity.
"Salsa, Sabor y Saludengages Latino families by integrating culturally relevant songs, games and traditions to promote hands-on learning about making nutritious food choices and increasing physical activity to build cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and flexibility," said Josephine Garza, executive director, NLCI.
Bilingual program facilitators utilize a Salsa, Sabor y Saludcurriculum kit, complete with fun games
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Hispanic wellness targeted by ad campaign
got milk? Presents Milk, Nature's Wellness Drink, to Hispanics With a Little Help from Universal Beauty Dayanara Torres
Popular Hispanic campaign revs up the new year with a new celebrity and a new wellness campaign
PRESS RELEASE
MIAMI, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally recognized beauty queen, author, actress and humanitarian Dayanara Torres is adding two major accolades to her long list of accomplishments: she's the latest famous face to proudly wear a milk mustache and is the official spokesperson of got milk?'s wellness campaign. As part of the campaign, Dayanara will help "reintroduce" Hispanics to milk as nature's wellness drink.
Looking just as vibrant, fit and healthy as she did 15 years ago when she was introduced to the world as Miss Universe 1993, Dayanara is one of a cadre of more than 250 famous faces who have lent their upper lips in support of milk. Just when Hispanics are actively seeking solutions to achieve wellness -- yet are frequently turning to manufactured, new-age beverages -- Dayanara is helping to remind people that milk is nature's wellness drink, a naturally nutrient-rich choice that offers an array of benefits that these fortified beverages are attempting to duplicate.
Dayanara helped launch the new "Drink Well. Live Well." initiative for the Hispanic got milk? campaign today at a press conference in Miami, unveiling her much anticipated Milk Mustache ad. The wellness initiative for milk includes new national television commercials, a coast-to-coast wellness tour and Dayanara's Milk Mustache ad.
Dayanara's "testimony" to wellness featured in the new ad includes:
"As a professional I do many things, but as a mother insuring my children's wellbeing is the most important. That's why I give them 3 glasses of milk a day. Lowfat and fat free milk have 9 essential nutrients, including vitamin A that helps regulate the immune system. Protecting my family's health is the best thing I can do, which is why I serve them milk."
New Face of Wellness
The new campaign is helping to draw attention to the many wellness benefits of milk and the unique attributes of being a milk drinker. Milk is a nutrient-laden liquid that supplies many of the vitamins and minerals that Hispanics fail to get enough of in their daily diets. Each glass of milk is packed with nine essential nutrients: calcium, vitamin D, protein, phosphorus, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, vitamin A, potassium and niacin. Studies suggest that milk drinkers tend to have healthier diets than people who drink little or no milk.
"It's only logical to think of milk as a wellness drink because it's one of the most nutrient-packed beverages you can buy," said wellness expert and registered nutritionist SuNui Escobar, who helped launch the new campaign today along with Dayanara. "Milk supplies more nutrients for your dollar than any other drink. You can get your wellness by the gallon with milk." SuNui said drinking lowfat or fat free milk each day is one simple step everyone can take toward achieving overall wellness. Plus, what other beverage can say it's been endorsed by more than 250 celebrities?
"I feel privileged to be able to reach out to all the Hispanic moms and talk about the role milk can play in the wellbeing of their families. I understand what is most important to us moms and none is more critical than the wellbeing of our kids," Dayanara said.
Wellness Role Models
Perhaps the most powerful testaments for milk are the milk mustache celebrity moms who have been part of the popular campaign. It's no coincidence that these healthy and fit celebrities bring to life the true meaning of wellness. Lili Estefan and her son Lorenzo helped launch the original campaign, and more recent additions to the roster have included Sofia Vergara, Barbara Mori, Sara Ramirez, Alicia Villarreal and Charytin. These famous milk-drinking role models truly embody the concept of living well.
To help showcase the many advantages of being a milk drinker, a new report entitled "The New Face of Wellness: A Look at America's Milk Drinkers" documents the science-based benefits of drinking milk. Milk drinkers may have a health edge, giving Hispanics more reason to get the recommended three glasses of lowfat or fat free milk each day. Decades of studies show that milk drinkers have stronger, denser bones and are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis.
Other studies suggest that grabbing as little as one glass of lowfat or fat free milk a day could help protect your heart and may even reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, while emerging evidence suggests the nutrients in milk may play a role in reducing the risk of certain cancers. The new report is available at www.eligeleche.com.
Drink Well. Live Well.
Visit www.eligeleche.com to see how you can achieve wellness in your life and possibly the chance to win one of four exclusive spa retreats at the luxurious Grand Wailea Resort and Spa in Maui! Enjoy elegant accommodations, indulgent spa treatments, fine dining, and thrilling recreation at this world- class resort. Daily prizes will be given away from SpaFinder and Curves. See official rules at www.eligeleche.com for more details.
The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The MilkPEP Board runs the national Milk Mustache "got milk?"(R) Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the health benefits of milk. For more information, go to www.whymilk.com. Lowe New York is the creative agency for the national Milk Mustache "got milk?" Campaign.
Popular Hispanic campaign revs up the new year with a new celebrity and a new wellness campaign
PRESS RELEASE
MIAMI, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally recognized beauty queen, author, actress and humanitarian Dayanara Torres is adding two major accolades to her long list of accomplishments: she's the latest famous face to proudly wear a milk mustache and is the official spokesperson of got milk?'s wellness campaign. As part of the campaign, Dayanara will help "reintroduce" Hispanics to milk as nature's wellness drink.
Looking just as vibrant, fit and healthy as she did 15 years ago when she was introduced to the world as Miss Universe 1993, Dayanara is one of a cadre of more than 250 famous faces who have lent their upper lips in support of milk. Just when Hispanics are actively seeking solutions to achieve wellness -- yet are frequently turning to manufactured, new-age beverages -- Dayanara is helping to remind people that milk is nature's wellness drink, a naturally nutrient-rich choice that offers an array of benefits that these fortified beverages are attempting to duplicate.
Dayanara helped launch the new "Drink Well. Live Well." initiative for the Hispanic got milk? campaign today at a press conference in Miami, unveiling her much anticipated Milk Mustache ad. The wellness initiative for milk includes new national television commercials, a coast-to-coast wellness tour and Dayanara's Milk Mustache ad.
Dayanara's "testimony" to wellness featured in the new ad includes:
"As a professional I do many things, but as a mother insuring my children's wellbeing is the most important. That's why I give them 3 glasses of milk a day. Lowfat and fat free milk have 9 essential nutrients, including vitamin A that helps regulate the immune system. Protecting my family's health is the best thing I can do, which is why I serve them milk."
New Face of Wellness
The new campaign is helping to draw attention to the many wellness benefits of milk and the unique attributes of being a milk drinker. Milk is a nutrient-laden liquid that supplies many of the vitamins and minerals that Hispanics fail to get enough of in their daily diets. Each glass of milk is packed with nine essential nutrients: calcium, vitamin D, protein, phosphorus, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, vitamin A, potassium and niacin. Studies suggest that milk drinkers tend to have healthier diets than people who drink little or no milk.
"It's only logical to think of milk as a wellness drink because it's one of the most nutrient-packed beverages you can buy," said wellness expert and registered nutritionist SuNui Escobar, who helped launch the new campaign today along with Dayanara. "Milk supplies more nutrients for your dollar than any other drink. You can get your wellness by the gallon with milk." SuNui said drinking lowfat or fat free milk each day is one simple step everyone can take toward achieving overall wellness. Plus, what other beverage can say it's been endorsed by more than 250 celebrities?
"I feel privileged to be able to reach out to all the Hispanic moms and talk about the role milk can play in the wellbeing of their families. I understand what is most important to us moms and none is more critical than the wellbeing of our kids," Dayanara said.
Wellness Role Models
Perhaps the most powerful testaments for milk are the milk mustache celebrity moms who have been part of the popular campaign. It's no coincidence that these healthy and fit celebrities bring to life the true meaning of wellness. Lili Estefan and her son Lorenzo helped launch the original campaign, and more recent additions to the roster have included Sofia Vergara, Barbara Mori, Sara Ramirez, Alicia Villarreal and Charytin. These famous milk-drinking role models truly embody the concept of living well.
To help showcase the many advantages of being a milk drinker, a new report entitled "The New Face of Wellness: A Look at America's Milk Drinkers" documents the science-based benefits of drinking milk. Milk drinkers may have a health edge, giving Hispanics more reason to get the recommended three glasses of lowfat or fat free milk each day. Decades of studies show that milk drinkers have stronger, denser bones and are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis.
Other studies suggest that grabbing as little as one glass of lowfat or fat free milk a day could help protect your heart and may even reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, while emerging evidence suggests the nutrients in milk may play a role in reducing the risk of certain cancers. The new report is available at www.eligeleche.com.
Drink Well. Live Well.
Visit www.eligeleche.com to see how you can achieve wellness in your life and possibly the chance to win one of four exclusive spa retreats at the luxurious Grand Wailea Resort and Spa in Maui! Enjoy elegant accommodations, indulgent spa treatments, fine dining, and thrilling recreation at this world- class resort. Daily prizes will be given away from SpaFinder and Curves. See official rules at www.eligeleche.com for more details.
The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The MilkPEP Board runs the national Milk Mustache "got milk?"(R) Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the health benefits of milk. For more information, go to www.whymilk.com. Lowe New York is the creative agency for the national Milk Mustache "got milk?" Campaign.
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