Category Archives: Public Health

December 1 is World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day Houston TX

Join us this evening, December 1, at South Beach, 810 Pacific Street, to honor the observance. By Barrett White The HIV epidemic has been present in Houston for 41 years now. More than a million Americans are living with HIV, and about 10% don’t even know they’re positive. According to the most recent available data …

This is Transgender Awareness Week

Transgender Awareness Week

We mourn today as we witness another senseless act of violence on the LGBTQ+ community. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the five people whose lives were senselessly taken, and the eighteen others who were injured in a shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs. Today is a day to remember …

Carbs are your friend.

Healthy Diets & Carbs

By Barrett White High-carb, low-carb, no-carb? What does your body need and why? Fad diets are hard to stick to, and for that reason they often don’t work. For you to hit your goals – whether your goals are aesthetic or for better health – you’ll want to understand how nutrition works in your body, …

October Is Health Literacy Month!

By Barrett White Health literacy refers to someone’s ability to find, understand, and use information and services related to their health care. Health Literacy Month is a time for health care providers to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. One way that health …

Generic vs. Name Brand: Is there a difference?

Generic Or Name Brand Medication

By Barrett White “If there is a generic medication available for my treatment – ever – I’m going to go for it,” says Ruston Taylor, Senior Director of Pharmacy Services & Outreach at Legacy Community Health. Taylor explains, when a medication is approved by the FDA, the brand name manufacturer holds the patent for the …

September 18 is HIV and Aging Awareness Day

Aging With HIV

By Barrett White According to the 2020 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Annual Client-Level Data Report, 47.9 percent of RWHAP clients are aged 50 and older.   People living with HIV are getting older. That’s fantastic news – this means that HIV suppression methods are working, and that those living with HIV are living longer lives, …

Here’s the Scoop on Monkeypox

Monkeypox Virus Houston TX

Per the CDC, monkeypox is rare and does not easily spread between people without close contact. Threat to the general population remains low.   Just two years ago, we were learning the first details of what would become the COVID-19 pandemic – a global health crisis not experienced in generations. Understandably, current news of monkeypox …

August is National Breastfeeding Month

National Breastfeeding Month

Breastfeeding, or chestfeeding, for any amount of time has significant health benefits for baby and parent. By Yanett Hodgson, IBCLC   August is National Breastfeeding Month! Per the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, “Breastfeeding is key to sustainable development strategies post-pandemic, as it improves nutrition, ensures food security and reduces inequalities between and within countries”. Breastfeeding, …

Today is National HIV Testing Day

HIV Testing Houston TX

By Barrett White You can observe the 27th annual Testing Day by knowing your own HIV status. Everybody has one, what’s yours?   National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) was first observed on June 27, 1995. This is a day to encourage people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to prevention, …

Managing High Blood Pressure with Nutrition

Diabetes Diet Houston, TX

Managing your high blood pressure can be such a pain. Fortunately, with a better understanding of nutrition’s role, it doesn’t have to be. By Rita Zapien, Registered Dietitian   According to the American Heart Association, about half of Americans have high blood pressure, known as hypertension. Many people don’t know they have it because most …