Last year’s deadly heat wave in metro Phoenix didn’t discriminate

Last year’s deadly heat wave in metro Phoenix didn’t discriminate

PHOENIX — Priscilla Orr, 75, was living in her old white Kia in a supermarket parking lot last summer after telling her family she lost her money and home to a romance scam. But the car broke down, and the air conditioner stopped working, leaving her vulnerable to the dangerous desert heat. Orr collapsed last … Read more

In a rural California region, a plan takes shape to provide shade from dangerous heat

In a rural California region, a plan takes shape to provide shade from dangerous heat

MECCA, Calif. — When Limba Contreras moved to the desert community of Oasis, California, about 50 years ago, her family relied on a water cooler to keep temperatures inside their home comfortable. Other times, they sprayed each other with a hose outside. But when the heat topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 Celsius), the cooler … Read more

New estimate shows rural Americans and men are more likely to suffer from hearing loss

New estimate shows rural Americans and men are more likely to suffer from hearing loss

MILWAUKEE — A new estimate shows hearing loss affects approximately 37.9 million Americans and is more common in rural areas than urban ones and in men than women. The study, published Wednesday in The Lancet Regional Health-Americas Journal, is the first to estimate hearing loss rates at the state and county level, and was led … Read more

‘Insurance godmothers’ sign up Latinos for Obamacare in pro-Trump areas as he threatens to repeal it

‘Insurance godmothers’ sign up Latinos for Obamacare in pro-Trump areas as he threatens to repeal it

MIAMI — Salsa music blares from the food court in a rundown Miami shopping center as Latinos head to a kiosk and an office showing signs for “Obamacare,” where they hope to renew their health coverage plans before the year ends. It’s areas near this mall where former President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul is … Read more

Patients of color more often brace for unfair treatment in health care, survey finds

Patients of color more often brace for unfair treatment in health care, survey finds

A trip to the doctor’s office comes with a bit of preparation for most, maybe even an internal pep talk to prepare for being told to get more exercise or calm a simmering fear of needles. But dressing well in hopes of warding off unfair treatment – or even bracing for being insulted? A newly … Read more

US life expectancy rose last year, but it remains below its pre-pandemic level

US life expectancy rose last year, but it remains below its pre-pandemic level

NEW YORK — U.S. life expectancy rose last year — by more than a year — but still isn’t close to what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 rise was mainly due to the waning pandemic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers said Wednesday. But even with the large increase, U.S. life … Read more

Progress in childhood cancer has stalled for Blacks and Hispanics, report says

Progress in childhood cancer has stalled for Blacks and Hispanics, report says

Advances in childhood cancer are a success story in modern medicine. But in the past decade, those strides have stalled for Black and Hispanic youth, opening a gap in death rates, according to a new report published Thursday. Childhood cancers are rare and treatments have improved drastically in recent decades, saving lives. Death rates were … Read more

America Ferrera urges for improved Latino representation in film during academy keynote

America Ferrera urges for improved Latino representation in film during academy keynote

LOS ANGELES — In a room filled with several influential Hollywood figures, “Barbie” star America Ferrera used her platform to address an ongoing industry issue: Latino representation in film. “According to the numbers, the dominant narrative our industry puts into the world is that Latinos either don’t exist or they are poor, immigrant criminals,” the … Read more

From piñata to postage stamp, US celebrates centuries-old Hispanic tradition

From piñata to postage stamp, US celebrates centuries-old Hispanic tradition

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The U.S. Postal Service on Friday rolled out its latest special edition postage stamps, paying homage to a tradition with global roots that has evolved over centuries to become a universal symbol of celebration. The release of four new stamps featuring colorful piñatas coincides with a monthlong recognition of Hispanic heritage in … Read more