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Culture Dicho del mes Health Marketing Parents think their children need to get outside more Unsurprisingly, many California parents are dissatisfied with their children’s outdoor experiences. White parents, however, are much more likely to be disappointed than Latinos. A survey the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), found that most parents consider outdoor activities to be very important, but report that television, computers and electronic entertainment are cutting into their children’s outdoor time. Other factors keeping kids inside are concerns over crime, the cost of participation in outdoor activities and the lack of outdoor activities in their communities. Latino parents are much more likely to say that crime and cost keep the kids inside. Source: "California’s Youth and Outdoor Activities: Parents’ Perspectives", March 2008, http://www.ppic.org/main/home.asp
The blessing and burden of caregiving A recent study finds that more than one third of Hispanic households (36 percent) have at least one family member caring for an older loved one --a larger percentage than all U.S. caregiving households which is 21 percent, according to the Evercare Study of Hispanic Caregiving in the U.S. The study, the largest comprehensive look at Hispanic caregivers, also revealed that caregiving caused a major change to the working situation of Hispanics, which could have dramatic personal implications as the current fiscal crisis continues to unfold in the United States. Additionally, the emotional and physical tolls of caregiving might also impact the local and national economies, given that more than eight million Hispanics provide care to older loved ones nationwide. The study found that more than four in 10 Hispanic caregivers (41 percent) have changed their work situation either by cutting back on hours, changing jobs, stopping work entirely, or taking a leave of absence. This is compared to 29 percent among non-Hispanic caregivers. The participants of the study indicated that additional resources and tools--in Spanish--are necessary to help them care for their loved ones. Seventy-three percent of Hispanic caregivers think it is very or somewhat important that caregiving information be provided in Spanish, with 56 percent who say it is very important. Eighty percent of Hispanic caregivers indicated training sessions that teach caregiving skills would be helpful, while more than seven in 10 would find online training in caregiving skills to be helpful. The study revealed that 84 percent of Hispanic caregivers believe that their role is a family obligation or honor and part of their cultural upbringing. In addition, 70 percent think that it would bring shame on their family not to accept their caregiving role, compared to 60 percent of non-Hispanics. Religion also plays a part in providing strength for Hispanic caregivers -- 93 percent indicated that religion helps them deal with the role of caregiving, 83 percent of non-Hispanic caregivers agree. Source: The BusinessWire, "New Comprehensive Study of Hispanic Family Caregivers in the U.S. Finds One in Every Three Hispanic Households Has a Family Member Caring for an Older Loved One", November 17, 2008, http://www.businesswire.com/
Dicho del mes La suerte de la fea, la bonita la desea. (The luck of a homely girl is often coveted by a pretty girl).
San Joaquin Valley center of emerging elder-health crisis California's elderly population is set to become majority non-Caucasian as of 2030, with Latinos comprising among the largest ethnic groups. Throughout the state, and in the heavily Latino San Joaquin Valley, older adults are increasingly likely to report cancer, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and the need for help with emotional problems, according to a new report by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. The proportion of older adults reporting diabetes in the San Joaquin region increased from one in six in 2001-just above the state average-to the highest in the state, with one in four of all older adults reporting that they have diabetes in 2005. The San Joaquin Valley also has particularly high rates of sedentary lifestyle, obesity and falls. Almost one-quarter (23.9%) of low-income older adults in the San Joaquin Valley are food insecure, meaning that they have trouble during the month in obtaining sufficient nutritionally adequate food. This is particularly troubling given the fact that the Valley is among the most productive agricultural areas in the country. The report looked at data gathered by the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) over three different time periods: 2001, 2003 and 2005. Source: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, "Trends in the Health of Older Californians" November 2008, http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/
Brain differences between poor and rich kids University of California, Berkeley, researchers have shown for the first time that the brains of low-income children function differently from the brains of high-income kids. Scientists report that normal 9- and 10-year-olds differing only in socioeconomic status have detectable differences in the response of their prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that is critical for problem solving and creativity. The researchers found that kids were more likely to have a low response if they had low socioeconomic status. "This is a wake-up call," said Robert Knight, UC Berkeley professor of psychology. "It's not just that these kids are poor and more likely to have health problems, but they might actually not be getting full brain development from the stressful and relatively impoverished environment associated with low socioeconomic status: fewer books, less reading, fewer games, fewer visits to museums." Source: UC Berkeley News Center, "EEGs show brain differences between poor and rich kids", December 2, 2008, http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/
Latinos and public libraries perceptions The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) reports a largely positive perception by Latinos regarding public libraries, library resources and staff. Researchers from TRPI found that English can draw Latinos to the library. In the U. S. Libraries hold considerable potential to play an important role in enriching the lives of immigrants and facilitating their integration into communities. Although Spanish-language materials are of importance to Latinos, their perceptions of staff service are a stronger factor in terms of increasing visits than Spanish-language materials. Source: Thomas Rivera Policy Institute, "Latinos and Public Library Perceptions", September 2008, http://www.trpi.org/
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