Conversaciones de Salud E-Newsletter: March 2024

Conversaciones de Salud E-Newsletter

...serving the Hispanic/Latinx/Latine/Latino/Afrodecendientes/IndigenousLatino and Asian-Latino communities.

CARMEN ROBLES’ LETTER

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MARCH IS BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH

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WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL:

Celebrating Women who shape, serve and inspire

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FENTANYL & OPIOID USE DISORDER:

Myths and Misconceptions

Opioids: A surging crisis in rural America

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YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH: Mental Health Resources for Parents

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ESQUINA LATINA:

Celebrating outstanding Latinos

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SALMA HAYEK'S ULTIMATE ADVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

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Dear Community,

As we step into March, a month marked by the awakening of spring and the celebration of Women's Day, I'm thrilled to bring you an issue close to my heart.

This month's edition shines a light on the influential women of Minnesota. From artists to advocates, their stories not only inspire but also challenge us to make a difference in our own spheres. Our "Esquina Latina" section continues to highlight the vibrant Latin community, offering a diverse array of topics that connect us all.

Our journey together over the years has shown me the strength of our community. It's in the sharing of our struggles and triumphs that we find common ground and a shared purpose.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Let's continue to uplift and support one another, forging a path of compassion and understanding that leaves no one behind.

Warmly,

Carmen Robles Director for Conversaciones de Salud

CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO SHAPE, SERVE, AND

INSPIRE

Diana Hawkins

Executive Director at Hawthorne Neighborhood Council

Bridgette Norring Founder of the Devin J. Norring Foundation

Michelle Amparan, Sgt. US Army

Maria Isa Perez, Minnesota House of Representatives

Pamela Baragan, Deputy Chief St. Paul Police

In the heart of Minnesota, a mosaic of remarkable women shapes the landscape of arts, advocacy, and heroism. This Women's Day, we spotlight those who are redefining boundaries and inspiring change. From the stirring strokes of artists transforming the canvas of our culture to the community advocates tirelessly championing for change

Among them is Bridgette Norring, a fentanyl awareness advocate, who wages a valiant battle against the opioid crisis a testament to resilience and hope. Their ranks are fortified by the courage of US Marine Michelle Amparan, the dedication of police officer Pamela Barragan in safeguarding our streets, and the compassion of Dr Lourdes Guerrios, healing with every touch These influential women, in their diverse roles, illuminate the path forward with their unwavering commitment to making a difference.

As we celebrate Women's Day, let's honor the contributions of these extraordinary women Their stories are not merely narratives of personal achievement but beacons of collective aspiration Here's to the women who dare to dream and drive us toward a brighter future

Juanita G Corbine Espinosa, Native Community Program Specialist

Rosita Balch, Family & Children's Advocate

Elsa Vega-Perez, Independent Contractor and Cultural Worker

Maria Constanza De La O Carballo, Health Advocate & Artist

Shirley Cain, Native Community Advocate

OPIOID USE DISORDER

Opioid use disorder, or opioid addiction, is a chronic disease that affects millions of Americans. While heroin addiction has affected many Americans for decades, there has been more attention on the opioid epidemic in recent years due to rise in opioid overdose deaths and spread of heroin to parts of the country that did not have it. The first phase of the opioid epidemic started in the 1990s and was due to prescription opioids (like oxycodone); the second phase was due largely to heroin; and the current phase is due to illegal fentanyl

Myths and Misconceptions

Myth #1: Anyone who takes prescription opioids for pain has an opioid addiction.

Fact: Addiction is defined by loss of control, compulsive use and continued use despite harm. Many patients take opioid medications as prescribed and are not addicted.

Myth #2: Most overdose deaths are due to prescriptions opioids.

Fact: Since 2013, most opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. are due to fentanyl, a very strong synthetic opioid that is mixed into heroin and other drugs.

Myth #3: Taking a medication for opioid use disorder, like buprenorphine or methadone, is just substituting one addiction for another.

Fact: While these medications still cause a physical dependence and patients experience physical withdrawal when they stop taking them, this does not mean that someone is addicted if they are taking it as prescribed by their doctor. (Remember the “3 Cs” of addiction.)

Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder (OUD) can be a devastating disease when untreated. Fortunately, effective treatment is available.

There are three approved medications for OUD:

1) Buprenorphine (commonly known by brand-name Suboxone)

2) Methadone

3) Naltrexone

You are not alone!

SAMHSA Helpline

Opioids: A Surging Crisis in Rural America

In 2017, the CDC revealed that drug overdose fatalities are continually rising in rural communities, even surpassing rates in urban areas.

Additionally, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the American Farm Bureau Federations (AFBF) discovered that the opioid epidemic has directly impacted as many as 74% of farmers. Latinos make up roughly 23% of the agriculture industry, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics, and opioid use is on the rise in this demographic.

“Opioids have been too easy to come by and too easy to become addicted to,” AFBF president Zippy Duvall said in a statement. “And because opioid addiction is a disease, it’s up

help people who suffer from it and help them find the treatment they need.”

Youth Mental Health

It is normal for children and youth to experience various types of emotional distress as they develop and mature. For example, it is common for children to experience anxiety about school, or youth to experience short periods of depression that are transient in nature. When symptoms persist, it may be time to seek professional assistance.

Caregiving

Consequences

Cigarette Smoking Patterns in

Latino Youth

As Latino individuals become more acculturated to the English language and U.S. culture, their cigarette use tends to rise, according to another recent study.People with greater language acculturation were significantly younger and were more likely to be U.S.-born compared to individuals with less language acculturation.

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This emphasizes the importance of tailoring smoking prevention strategies for the Latino community with language and culture in mind, as well as other acculturation factors.

Latino Parents Worried about Teen Social Media Use, Urge Policy Safeguards

Social media has become a part of everyday life and routine, especially for young Latinos. While social media can offer supportive communities and educational resources, it can also bring harmful impacts and habits.

Nearly half of Latino parents are “extremely concerned” over the potential harmful impact that heavy social media use can have on their pre-teen children’s mental health, according to new data from the Brookings Institution.

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Youth Works! Orientation

March 13, 2024

Time:11 a.m.- noon

RAMSEY COUNTY

Youth Works! is a county-wide youth employment partnership initiative. Together, we willensure alignment and coordination among the larger youth and young adult employment ecosystem to most effectively support young people (ages 14-24) in gaining access to employment, training resources and career pathways opportunities.

Esquina Latina

CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING

LATINOS: Puerto Rican Librarian

62 RECIPES FOR AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD

Authentic Mexican food and drinks are more than tacos and margaritas. Here are 62 Mexican recipes including elote, micheladas, pozole and churros

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DOES PUERTO RICO HOLD THE KEY TO SAVING HONEY BEES?

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As we all remember, Hurricanes Maria and Irma knocked out the electricity in Puerto Rico and uprooted thousands, but the storms wreaked havoc upon the island’s smaller community members as well billions of domesticated and wild honey bees were displaced or killed as a result of the storms and the aftermath. Now, roughly 18 months later, honey bee populations have rebounded, and it’s left some researchers thinking the bees could bring new regrowth opportunities for the island

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Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment

Through Research

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