February Health News
Taking Action Against Cervical Cancer This January
Each year more than 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Latinas are particularly affected as they have the highest rate of cervical cancer among all ethnic groups. This January, cervical cancer awareness month, take charge of your health and learn more about cervical cancer prevention.
Women can actively take action against cervical cancer by getting an HPV and Pap test (or Pap smear) which can help detect if you are at risk for developing cervical cancer.
Women should get their first Pap test at 21 and continue to do so every three years throughout their twenties. In general, women should continue Pap testing until they are 65 years of age. Don’t forgo screenings because you feel they aren't necessary. Free or low cost Pap testing is available in numerous communities across the country. Click here to search for a program near you.
The Affordable Care Act
Open Enrollment Ends January 31, 2016
Open Enrollment for 2016 coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace ends on January 31, 2016. You must sign up by January 15 for coverage to begin on February 1, 2016. If you enroll by January 31, 2016, your coverage will begin on March 1, 2016.
If you already have coverage, don't forget that switching plans during this open enrollment period can save you money. Those who switched to a different plan in the same tier last year saved $33 per month after tax credits, or almost $400 annually.
Those that do not enroll will face a penalty fee. The fee for being uninsured is 2.5% of household income or $695 per adult and $347.50 per child under 18 ‒ whichever is higher.
For more information on enrollment, click here.
Latinos Living Healthy Funding Opportunities Announced
2015-2016 Healthy Communities Program Request For Proposals Now Open
In partnership with the Walmart Foundation, Latinos Living Healthy is continuing the Walmart Healthy Community Program to provide a grant of $10,000 to ten LULAC councils in good standing who demonstrate a commitment to improving health outcomes. Together this program will create a network of unique programs focused on energizing healthy Latino families by increasing fruit and vegetable servings and promoting the benefits of home cooked meals.
Apply now! The deadline is February 15, 2016, 6 P.M. Pacific. Awardees will be announced on March 1, 2016.
Click here or contact Declan Kingland for more information. We look forward to your submissions!
2016 Act Against AIDS Stipend Request Form Now Open
As part of LULAC’s Act Against Aids Campaign, Latinos Living Healthy is offering stipends of $2,000 to ten LULAC councils in good standing who demonstrate a commitment to eliminating HIV in our community. The funding can be used to start or supplement existing HIV screenings efforts.
Apply now! The deadline is February 15, 2016, 6 P.M. Pacific. Awardees will be announced on March 1, 2016.
Click here or contact Declan Kingland for more information. We look forward to your submissions!
Advocacy
Study Shows Children are Making Healthier Nutrition Choices
In December 2010 the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was signed into law and allowed the incorporation and availability of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in school meals.
A new study has found that the act has successfully increased access to healthy foods. As a result of the plan “the nutritional value of foods chosen by students increased by 29%,” and the caloric intake per gram decreased by 13%. The study’s lead author Donna B. Johnson, Ph.D, said, “This study shows that the updated school meal standards are effective. Students chose more nutritious meals that had fewer calories per gram after the standards were implemented.” Additionally she stated, that the primary reason found for students selecting healthier lunches was that schools were now offering a greater variety and amount of fruits and vegetables during meal times.
Though the study reflects six schools, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act has increased access to healthy food to millions of children across the country. Largely participants of school lunch programs are low-income children who otherwise might not have the healthy options at home.
#DoingIt Campaign
In case you missed it, LULAC Executive Director Brent Wilkes is featured in the new Act Against AIDS HIV testing campaign “Doing It” which encourages all adults to get tested for HIV.
HIV testing is the first vital step that links persons living with HIV to medical care and treatment that can prolong their lives and prevent transmission to others. In addition to encouraging testing for all Americans, the campaign focuses on populations who are most at risk for HIV in the United States.
CDC estimates that 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV and about 40,000 infections are diagnosed each year.
When people know they have HIV, research shows that they take steps to protect their own health and prevent transmission to others. But nearly one in eight Americans currently living with HIV do not know they are infected and may be unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.
Testing is the only way to ensure that more people living with HIV are aware of their status.