Southern California Center for Latino Health

Welcome to the Southern California Center for Latino Health! We are a regional consortium based at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and aim to prevent the development of chronic diseases in Latino adults by addressing health disparities in families and children. Our Center is led by Michael Goran (CHLA) and Lourdes Baezconde-GarbAnati (USC). You can read more about the Southern California Center for Latino Health in the article below: https://lnkd.in/gu37Ywxy

On Wednesday, November 13, Goran Lab Post-Doc Alexandra DESCARPENTRIE, PhD presented his research during the Best Starts to Life Research Summit at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). This summit showcased research that identifies the earliest risk factors and interventions, from fetal development to early childhood, with the goal of improving the life course?for?all children. You can read about Alexandra's research below: “The research I presented was about the examination of the link between nutrition insecurity (NI) and academic performance (AP) in third graders in Los Angeles County. NI, or difficulty accessing healthy foods, was associated with poorer academic outcomes (meeting or exceeding California Department of Education standards for English and Mathematics). Among various mediators, children’s dietary habits—specifically the daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB)—was identified as a key factor, accounting for 27% of the NI-AP relation. The findings suggest that improving children’s diets, especially by reducing SSB intake, could help boost academic performance.” -?Alexandra Descarpentrie, PhD Well-done, Alex!

On Wednesday, November 13, Goran Lab Post-Doc?Jonatan Ottino González, PhD presented his research during the Best Starts to Life Research Summit at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). This summit showcased research that identifies the earliest risk factors and interventions, from fetal development to early childhood, with the goal of improving the life course?for?all children. You can read about Jonatan's research below: “My research was about understanding the contribution of breastfeeding duration in neurocognitive outcomes during critical periods?for?brain development such as adolescence. Results suggest breastfeeding benefits on brain structure, and concretely on gray matter, are long-lasting, as they were observable during adolescence. Also, breastfeeding benefits were dose-dependent – the longer the breastfeeding duration the better. These findings highlight the importance of optimal early nutrition on brain development.” --Jonatan Ottino Gonzalez, PhD Great work, Jonatan!

Join us in attending the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) during their virtual townhall today to discuss the NIH Minority Health Strategic Plan (2026-2030)!

Our incredible Community Engagement Core attended the American Public Health Association annual conference this year, highlighting the critical work of #promotoras and community health workers in working towards #healthequity

Today is #WorldDiabetesDay – the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign. Millions of people around the world live with diabetes, and in recent years the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has greatly increased. In the U.S., 22% of Latino children currently have a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, with approximately 50% of Latino/a/x/e estimated to develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. Hoy es el #DíaMundialdelaDiabetes — la campa?a de concientización sobre la diabetes más grande del mundo. Millones de personas viven con diabetes y, en los últimos a?os, el número de ni?os diagnosticados con diabetes tipo 2 ha aumentado considerablemente. En los EE. UU., aproximadamente 22 % de los ni?os latinos tienen un diagnóstico de diabetes tipo 2. Además, se estima que 50% de los latinos desarrollarán diabetes tipo 2 en algún momento de su vida.

Today we are excited to spotlight Tanya L. Alderete, Ph.D., and her new position! Recently, Dr. Alderete joined Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and more specifically the Johns Hopkins Environmental Health & Engineering Department, as an Associate Professor. Overall, her research investigates the effects of environmental exposures on human health throughout the life course, integrating clinical, epidemiological, and multiomics research. At SCCLH, Dr. Alderete is a Co-Investigator on the #ElSendero study funded by National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). This study examines the contributions of early-life nutrition, exposure to environmental toxins, air pollution, and social determinants of health on subclinical markers of obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and high lipid levels among Latino children in Southern California at 6 years of age. Congratulations, Dr. Alderete!!

Now Open: Tenure Track Position at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo! The Kinesiology and Public Health Department in the Cal Poly Bailey College of Science & Mathematics is seeking to fill one full-time, academic year, tenure track position in environmental health with a record of training or experience in Latinx/e studies, with appointment beginning September 11, 2025. To learn more, click here: https://lnkd.in/gBk83yct

Last week, our Community Engagement Core (CEC) presented?their #promotora training programs during a roundtable discussion at the American Public Health Association Conference in #Minneapolis. Amazing work, CEC team! From left to Right: Adriana Argaiz, Nicole Wolfe, PhD and Alma Garcia

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) wants to hear your experiences, insights and ideas to help shape the future of minority health and health disparities research efforts. These important opportunities are open to all. Join NIH in working to improve minority health, reduce health disparities, promote health equity and create a more inclusive, healthier future for all. Click the following link to learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gBv59B8w