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Economic Empowerment - Hispanic Federation

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Our Economic Empowerment Work Hispanic Federation understands the potential Latinos have to increase their economic prosperity for generations to come.…

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¡Avanzando Juntas! ~ Latina Empowerment Program

Hispanic women are much more likely than non-Hispanic women to live in poverty. Many times they lack the education, experience and skills - even the self-confidence - to pursue gainful and stable employment.

The ¡Avanzando Juntas! Latina Economic Empowerment Program is an innovative program that offers Latinas the opportunity to capitalize on their interests, skills and talents in their journey of personal and professional growth. We encourage, support and inspire participants to start their own micro-enterprises as they acquire the knowledge and tools needed to succeed. The program was launched in 2014 with funds from The Coca-Cola Foundation and is tailored to meet the needs of Latina immigrants.

Essentially, we are creating a space where Latinas can get the knowledge, support and entrepreneurial skills necessary to become economically stable. Our program has a strong cultural and linguistic foundation and is tailored specifically for Latinas.

A critical component of the program is the Latina Empowerment Conference. For details and courses offered in the program, click here.

Adult Education

The LAA can empower more than 850 Latinos every week to live self-sufficient lives and integrate fully into their community by providing them with life-giving resources and education. We can offer individuals the chance to inherit knowledge, skills and support they will need while on their road to success through access to programs and services, including employment orientations and services, immigration legal services, family well-being support groups and services, adult education classes and empowerment and youth programs.

The Economic Empowerment area offer the following courses for adults:

For details on the above, click on each title above.

*Click on each event title for details on each event.

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Economic Empowerment - Latin American Association

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Hispanic women are much more likely than non-Hispanic women to live in poverty. Many times they lack the education, experience and skills - even the self-confidence - to pursue gainful and stable employment. The ¡ Avanzando Juntas!

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UnidosUS - Latino civil rights and advocacy

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More than 62 million Latinos live and work in the United States, contributing $2.7 trillion to the economy. You are part of the fabric of America, and you

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Hispanic Access Foundation - Embracing Latina Empowerment: A CEO's Perspective for Women's History Month

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As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it's essential to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the globe, to acknowledge our Latino community, where we encompass a spectrum of identities, including race, ethnicity, nationality, and socio-economic st…

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We believe all women deserve the opportunity to live free from poverty. Collaborating with global partners,
we fund microloans, training and services that enable women to start businesses,
support their families and strengthen their communities. We're funded 100% by your charitable donations.

Since 2005, we've created hope and opportunity for thousands of women in the U.S. and around the world.

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Home - Women's Empowerment International

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We believe all women deserve the opportunity to live free from poverty. Collaborating with global partners, we fund microloans, training and services that enable women to start businesses, support their families and strengthen their communities. We're funded 100% by your charitable donations.

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UN Women has been supporting Palestinian women since 1997 to achieve their social, economic, and political rights. We remain present on the ground to provide support and assistance and will do so for as long as it takes.

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UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential. We are trusted partners for advocates and decision-makers from all walks of life, and a leader in the effort to achieve gender equality.

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Women and girls around the world deserve education, economic opportunity, safety, and health care, including reproductive freedom.

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From where I stand: “Once we empower women, we empower everyone.”

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Jana Qudah, 17 years old, leads the communication team at the Jubilee School HeForShe club, the first of its kind in Jordan to engage adolescents on gender equality and women’s empowerment. From equal representation to leadership, Jana is designing creative content to drive the social media conversation on everyday issues facing young men and women.

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US Department of Health and Human Services

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Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)

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Find out from foodsafety.gov why adults age 65 and older are at a higher risk for hospitalization and death from foodborne illness and how they can reduce that risk.

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This page outlines risk and protective factors for experiencing or perpetrating elder abuse.

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Human beings are social creatures. Our connection to others enables us to survive and thrive. Yet, as we age, many of us are alone more often than when we were younger, leaving us vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness-and related health problems such as cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract these negative effects.

NIA-supported researchers are studying the differences between social isolation and loneliness, their mechanisms and risk factors, and how to help people affected by these conditions. "NIA is interested in exploring potential interventions to address social isolation and loneliness, which are both risk factors for poor aging outcomes," said Lisbeth Nielsen, Ph.D., of NIA's Division of Behavioral and Social Research.

Social isolation and loneliness do not always go together. About 28 percent of older adults in the United States, or 13.8 million people, live alone, according to a report by the Administration for Community Living's Administration on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but many of them are not lonely or socially isolated. At the same time, some people feel lonely despite being surrounded by family and friends.

"A key scientific question is whether social isolation and loneliness are two independent processes affecting health differently, or whether loneliness provides a pathway for social isolation to affect health," Dr. Nielsen noted.

Health effects of social isolation, loneliness

Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even death.

Spread the Word About Social Isolation

View the Social Isolation and Loneliness Outreach Toolkit for social media images and posts, animated graphics (GIFs), educational materials, and more.

People who find themselves unexpectedly alone due to the death of a spouse or partner, separation from friends or family, retirement, loss of mobility, and lack of transportation are at particular risk.

Conversely, people who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others tend to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose. These activities seem to help maintain their well-being and may improve their cognitive function, studies show.

Breaking ground in loneliness research

Much of what we know about the causes and effects of social isolation and loneliness comes from the groundbreaking research of the late John T. Cacioppo, Ph.D., former director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago and an NIA grantee.

Dr. Cacioppo's research found that being alone and loneliness are different but related. Social isolation is the objective physical separation from other people (living alone), while loneliness is the subjective distressed feeling of being alone or separated. It's possible to feel lonely while among other people, and you can be alone yet not feel lonely.

A pioneer in the field of social neuroscience, Dr. Cacioppo passed away in March 2018. His wife and collaborator, Stephanie Cacioppo, Ph.D., continues this work as assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago and director of the university's NIA-supported Brain Dynamics Laboratory.

"The misery and suffering caused by chronic loneliness are very real and warrant attention," she said. "As a social species, we are accountable to help our lonely children, parents, neighbors, and even strangers in the same way we would treat ourselves. Treating loneliness is our collective responsibility."

Although there is more to learn, the understanding of the mechanisms of action of loneliness and its treatment has increased dramatically since scientific investigation began more than two decades ago, according to Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo. Among the novel predictions from the Cacioppo Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness is that loneliness automatically triggers a set of related behavioral and biological processes that contribute to the association between loneliness and premature death in people of all ages. Research is headed toward the systematic study of these processes across generations, Dr. Cacioppo explained.

Understanding the biology of loneliness

Losing a sense of connection and community changes a person's perception of the world. Someone experiencing chronic loneliness feels threatened and mistrustful of others, which activates a biological defense mechanism, according to Steve Cole, Ph.D., director of the Social Genomics Core Laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles. His NIA-funded research focuses on understanding the physiological pathways of loneliness (the different ways that loneliness affects how your mind and body function) and developing social and psychological interventions to combat it.

For example, loneliness may alter the tendency of cells in the immune system to promote inflammation, which is necessary to help our bodies heal from injury, Dr. Cole said. But inflammation that lasts too long increases the risk of chronic diseases.

Loneliness acts as a fertilizer for other diseases," Dr. Cole said. "The biology of loneliness can accelerate the buildup of plaque in arteries, help cancer cells grow and spread, and promote inflammation in the brain leading to Alzheimer's disease. Loneliness promotes several different types of wear and tear on the body.

People who feel lonely may also have weakened immune cells that have trouble fighting off viruses, which makes them more vulnerable to some infectious diseases, he added.

NIA-supported research by Dr. Cole and others shows that having a sense of mission and purpose in life is linked to healthier immune cells. Helping others through caregiving or volunteering also helps people feel less lonely.

"Working for a social cause or purpose with others who share your values and are trusted partners puts you in contact with others and helps develop a greater sense of community," he noted.

Researching genetic and social determinants of loneliness

In another NIA-funded study, researchers are trying to understand the differences between social isolation and loneliness and how they may influence health. They are also trying to identify potential interactions between genes and the environment of older adults affected by social isolation and loneliness.

Previous studies have estimated the heritability of loneliness between 37 percent and 55 percent using twins and family-based approaches. "Individuals who are not prone genetically to feeling lonely may, for example, suffer much less from social isolation, while others feel lonely even though they are surrounded and part of a rich social life," according to Nancy Pedersen, Ph.D., a professor of genetic epidemiology at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. "We are also interested in understanding what role socioeconomic status plays in such associations."

Using data from twin studies, Dr. Pedersen and researchers found that both social isolation and loneliness are independent risk factors, and that genetic risk for loneliness significantly predicted the presentation of cardiovascular, psychiatric (major depressive disorder), and metabolic traits. Family history does not strongly influence this effect.

"We need to identify people who are most prone to suffer from social isolation and loneliness and those who would benefit most from interventions," said Dr. Pedersen. "Interventions for social isolation may look very different from interventions for those who feel lonely."

Beyond genetics, understanding social determinants of health, and the role of social and interpersonal processes in healthy aging and longevity, is another research direction at NIH. Scientists are beginning to apply this framework to research on social isolation and loneliness.

"Future research will need to clarify the extent to which loneliness and social isolation are malleable, and if so, what are the most effective approaches? Demonstrating that we can move the needle on these risk factors is a critical first step toward developing effective interventions," said Dr. Nielsen. Research is also needed to clarify how great a change in loneliness or social isolation is required to achieve a meaningful change in health, she added.

Living alone with cognitive impairment

Older adults living alone with cognitive impairment-a growing and vulnerable population-face unique challenges. Elena Portacolone, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, San Francisco, leads an NIA-funded study to understand their daily experiences, social networks, and decision-making ability, with the aim of designing culturally sensitive interventions to improve their health, well-being, and social integration.

"Whereas most researchers of isolation study the personal traits and behaviors of isolated individuals, my research focuses on the role that structural factors (i.e., institutions, social policies, ideologies) play in exacerbating the social isolation of vulnerable individuals," said Dr. Portacolone. "For example, in my prior investigation of older residents of high-crime neighborhoods, who were mostly African-American older adults, a tension emerged between participants' longing to participate in society and obstacles that made this participation difficult to attain."

These structural obstacles included fear of being robbed, distrust of neighbors, limited availability of appropriate services, dilapidated surroundings, and limited meaningful and positive relationships. Having few friends or family members attuned to their concerns was another factor exacerbating social isolation. Study participants expressed a desire to be socially integrated, an idea that runs against the prevailing assumption that isolated older adults are alone by choice.

Similar patterns emerge in Dr. Portacolone's ongoing investigation of older adults with cognitive impairment living alone. "One African-American study participant told me of her tendency to lock herself in the bathroom during family gatherings to cry and 'let the tension out' because her family members realize how concerned she is about her memory loss," recalled Dr. Portacolone. "Other participants with Alzheimer's disease noted that their friends were less eager to see them after they shared their diagnosis."

Another structural obstacle is limited affordable services that address the specific needs of cognitively impaired people living alone. Home care aides are seldom trained to support older adults with cognitive impairment, and their fees are often too high for most older adults on a long-term basis, explained Dr. Portacolone. In addition, some older adults with cognitive impairment have had their driver's license revoked, but they do not get help with replacement transportation, which dramatically increases their isolation.

As a result, older adults with cognitive impairment living alone spend much of their time managing their household and their health, Dr. Portacolone said. They are often reluctant to show they need help because they fear being forced to move from their homes.

"The primary takeaway from this research is that interventions to increase older adults' social integration should address not only their behaviors, but their overall surroundings. We need to concentrate our attention on the influence of social policies, institutions, and ideologies in the everyday experience of isolated older adults," Dr. Portacolone said.
References
Administration on Aging. A Profile of Older Americans: 2017 (PDF, 712K). April 2018.

Cacioppo JT and Cacioppo S. The growing problem of loneliness. Lancet 2018;391(10119):426.

Cacioppo JT and Cacioppo S. Loneliness in the modern age: an evolutionary theory of loneliness (ETL). A dvances in Experimental Social Psychology 2018; 58:127-197.

Cacioppo JT and Cacioppo S. Older adults reporting social isolation or loneliness show poorer cognitive function 4 years later. Evidence-Based Nursing 2014;17(2):59-60.

Cacioppo S, Capitanio JP, Cacioppo JT. Toward a neurology of loneliness. Psychological Bulletin 2014;140(6):1464-1504.

Cacioppo S, Grippo AJ, London S, et al. Loneliness: Clinical import and interventions. Perspectives on Psychological Science 2015;10(2):238-249.

Cacioppo JT and Hawkley LC. Perceived social isolation and cognition. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. 2009;13(10):447-454.

Cole SW, Capitanio JP, Chun K, et al. Myeloid differentiation architecture of leukocyte transcriptome dynamics in perceived social isolation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 2015;112(49):15142-15147.

Cole SW, Hawkley LC, Arevalo JM, et al. Transcript origin analysis identifies antigen-presenting cells as primary targets of socially regulated gene expression in leukocytes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2011;108(7):3080-3085.

Portacolone E. Structural factors of elders' isolation in a high-crime neighborhood: An in-depth perspective. Public Policy And Aging Report 2018;27(4):152-155.

Portacolone E. On living alone with Alzheimer's disease. Care Weekly 2018;1-4.

Portacolone E, Covinsky KE, Rubinstein RL, et al. The precarity of older adults living alone with cognitive impairment. The Gerontologist 2019;59(2):271-280.

Portacolone E, Johnson JK, Covinsky KE, et al. The effects and meanings of receiving a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease when one lives alone. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2018;61(4):1517-1529.

Portacolone E, Perissinotto CM, Yeh J, et al. "I feel trapped": The tension between personal and structural factors of social isolation and the desire for social integration among older residents of a high-crime neighborhood. The Gerontologist 2018;58(1):79-88.

Portacolone E, Segal SP, Mezzina R, et al. A tale of two cities: The exploration of the Trieste public psychiatry model in San Francisco. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry 2015;39(4):680-697.

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Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks

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Social isolation and loneliness can affect the physical and mental health of older adults, including those with cognitive impairment. Read about research on risk factors and solutions.

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How to Empower the Elderly People in Your Life - Silverts.com

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Wondering how to empower the elderly people in your life? Check out this list of seven ideas for ways that you can encourage your elderly loved ones.

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Obesity and Heart Disease Risk in Black People

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Black Americans are disproportionately affected by obesity. Learn why this affects heart disease risk.

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Black Populations – Suicide Prevention Resource Center

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Black and African American are terms used to describe people descended from any of the Black racial groups of Africa.1 On this web page we use the term Black, and the data do not include people of Hispanic ethnicity. In 2022, Black populations composed an estimated 13.6% of the U.S. population.2

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​ Protective and risk factors are the two elements in the development of resilience. Resilience is often referred to as the ability to bounce back from adversity. This definition implies that individuals use internal and external resources available to them (protective factors) to overcome difficulties (risk factors).

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There are many terms used to describe LGBTQ sexual and gender identity. On this site DASH uses LGBTQ to refer to the broad population of youth who identify with a sexual or gender identity other than cisgender or heterosexual. When specific studies or surveillance data are discussed, a narrower acronym may be used to be consistent with the populations in data being discussed.

View the Terms

Sexual minority youth (SMY) refers to youth who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB), who are not sure of their sexual identity, or who have any same sex partners. CDC's 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data show substantial health disparities that exist among an estimated 2.6 million sexual minority students, placing them at risk for negative health outcomes, including HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Students who have sexual contact with both sexes are at higher risk than students with only same-sex sexual contact for multiple sexual risk behaviors.

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Many LGBTQ youth thrive during adolescence, but, stigma, discrimination, and other factors put them at increased risk for negative health and life outcomes. CDC works with education and public health partners to address health risks and disparities among LGBTQ youth. Together, we can improve the health and lives of sexual minority youth so they achieve their social, emotional, and academic potential.

Compared to their heterosexual peers, sexual minority students are more likely to have:

YRBS Transgender Report

In 2017, ten states (Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin) and nine large urban school districts (Boston, Cleveland, District of Columbia, Detroit, Broward County, Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco) piloted a question to measure the proportion of high school students who identify as transgender.

Survey data from population-based samples of selected state and urban school districts (n=19 sites) indicate that an average of 1.8% of high school students identify as transgender. Transgender students are more likely than cisgender students to report violence victimization, substance use, and suicide risk, and although generally more likely to report sexual risk behaviors, were also more likely to report being tested for HIV.

The MMWR reports listed below examine differences in health behaviors among transgender and cisgender students, in select U.S. states and large urban school districts.

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cdc centers for disease control and prevention

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improve the health and lives of sexual minority youth

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Sexual minority youth (SMY) are youth who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB), who are not sure of their sexual identity, or who have any same sex partners. CDC's 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data show substantial health disparities that exist among an estimated 2.6 million sexual minority students, placing them at risk for negative health outcomes, including HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

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Physician's Weekly - A trusted source of medical information for healthcare professional.

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LGBTQ Underrepresentation in Value-Based Care - Physician’s Weekly

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The success of inclusive value-based care is essential to improving population health disparities and health outcomes for the LGBTQ community.

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NBCC | National Board for Certified Counselors & Affiliates

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Melissa,Monique, Cieara