May's Monthly Health Update
Health Ambassadors
If you are involved with health work in your community, you would be a great candidate for the LULAC Health Ambassadorship. Furthermore, you would be notified first of available grant opportunities!. Sign up today!
Work with LULAC and FNS to Engage Youth Volunteers in Summer Meals
Join Food and Nutrition Service for a webinar to learn how you can help feed children this summer by engaging youth. The webinar will provide an overview of the program and how youth can get involved! To participate in the webinar register here. You can also watch their video series which can be found here.
Join LULAC and eat healthier this summer
Does your produce keep going bad before you can eat it? Try frozen fruit instead--they provide the same nutritional value.
Health Programs
LULAC Presents Successful 22nd Annual National Cinco de Mayo Festival!
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, LULAC and Walmart presented the Feria de Salud with entertainment provided by the Maru Montero Dance Company on Sunday May 4, 2014. Nearly 16,000 attendees participated in the health fair and partook of the various entertainment, exhibitor information, physical activities, cooking demonstration and free health screenings.
LULAC National President Margaret Moran stated at the fair, “The obesity epidemic in this country is predominately among the underserved and minority communities.” In regards to Walmart’s efforts in helping the Latino community, Moran also had this to say, “Our partnership with Walmart provides the opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of healthy living and provide access to critical resources to our community.”
The USDA joined LULAC at the health fair and brought along its food safety bus and Radio Disney. In attendance also, was the Food and Nutrition Service (Read their blog here) and The People’s Garden, two very important parts of the USDA.
View the full press release here
May is Asthma Awareness Month
LULAC has partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund to address air pollution and its link to asthma. Last month, LULAC and EDF partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency to host a twitter town hall to raise awareness about how asthma affects the Latino community. You can read a blog post about the town hall written by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy by clicking here
Asthma is a chronic disorder that affects your lungs that diminishes your ability to breath which causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing.
- In 2011, 3.6 million Hispanics reported that they currently have asthma.
- Puerto Rican Americans are twice as likely to have asthma as compared to the overall Hispanic population and more than 3x more likely than non-Hispanic Whites.
- Hispanic children are 40 % more likely to die from asthma
- Hispanics are 30 % more likely to be hospitalized for asthma
- Certain factors, including a family history for asthma, increases chances for suffering from asthma.
- Asthma is not curable but if managed correctly, asthma attacks can be reduced.
- Avoid common triggers known to bring on asthma symptoms, including smoke, household pets, dust mites, and pollen.
- Speak with your healthcare provider to find out more about how to better control your asthma.
Remember: You can control your asthma!
Advocacy
Hispanics Continue To Have Highest Teen Pregnancy Rate In U.S., CDC Says
On Tuesday the CDC released the most recent figures for teenage pregnancies, which historically have been higher among Hispanics. Although teen pregnancies are decreasing, Hispanic teenagers still have the highest birth rates.
The report says 1/4 teen births in the U.S. is to a girl between the ages of 15 and 17. In 2012, the birth rate per 1,000 teenagers 15-17 years of age was 25.5% of teenage mothers age 15-17 were Hispanics.
Affordable Care Act
Congrats, you graduated! Now what?
If used to get coverage from school/parents, what should you do? Some new graduates will gain coverage from your job or in some cases; you may still be eligible to stay on your parents plan until you are 26. If neither one of these are an option for you then you can go to HealthCare.gov and choose a plan in the Health Insurance Marketplace or call 1-855-889-4325. Note: To get coverage outside of the Open Enrollment Period, you must be losing current coverage (like student health insurance).
All Marketplace plans cover a comprehensive set of benefits, including physician visits, preventive care, hospital stays, and prescriptions. No one can be turned away from the Marketplace based on a pre-existing condition—it’s guaranteed, and most people will get help paying for premiums or get a free or low cost plan.
Medicaid is a combined state and federal program that provides coverage to people with limited income. When you fill out a Marketplace application, you’ll find out if you qualify for coverage through Medicaid.
If you can afford health insurance, but you don’t have it in 2014, you may have to pay a fee. There’s no special student exemption. However, you won’t have to pay the fee if you have a limited income and you don’t have to file a federal tax return.