Five on Friday: Voting and Environmental Health

Welcome to Five on Friday, where we at Migrant Clinicians Network share the top five articles, resources, and announcements of the week with you, our readers. Have a read, before you head into the weekend!

Del praised this important new report from PAHO, highlighting the failures in response and significant health needs that South American migrants must navigate in the dangerous Darien Gap. Available in English and Spanish. Challenges in Access to Health for Migrants Transiting the Darien Region

Are you registered to vote? Dr. Kaethe Weingarten, Director of Witness to Witness, recently wrote a compelling piece on how voting is a health justice issue.  This week, she shared this article that expands on that idea – yet another good reason to vote! Voting Is Good for Your Health. These Doctors Want to Help.

Renai recommended this webinar from the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Opportunities for the Health Sector

Avian flu is now in 100 dairies in California. Six cases have been confirmed among farmworkers and, now, another possible five are being investigated. California Reports Five Possible Human Bird Flu Cases

Weekly Win: Let’s support farmworkers! Civil Eats shared this interview with a farmworker advocacy organization in western North Carolina, who shares the tenuous situation for many farmworkers in the region after Hurricane Helene caused flooding and widespread power outages. While the post-hurricane situation is certainly not a win, we are thrilled to see many farmworker organizations receiving support – and invite you to do the same. How to Help Farmworkers Impacted by Hurricane Helene

This week we are proud to share the great work that the Ventanilla de Salud Del Rio TX did in their community. Local partners who helped make these events possible included Del Rio PTSD Awareness, Zin Nelda Tarango, Walgreens of Del Rio and Rev Cycling Studio of Del Rio.

 Del Rio PTSD Awareness is a non-profit organization that seeks to end the stigma of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). One way to help heal PTSD is through exercise. In this marathon sponsored by PTSD Awareness, some 260 athletes participated in 4 categories and approximately 600 people attended. The opportunity was also used to share information about respiratory illnesses and the importance of getting vaccinated.

50 women, including breast cancer survivors, participated in Pink Zumba thanks to the collaboration of Zin Nelda Tarango. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness among women about breast cancer.

At this new Mommy and Me event several women with children under 1 year old or pregnant participated in this class to highlight the importance of continued exercise for optimal health. Great job!

Have a safe and healthy weekend!