In The Community
"I’m a vessel of divine light, radiating positivity and love into the world."
Photo by William Farlow on UnsplashThis affirmation can be a nice reminder of your inherent connection to the universe and your ability to receive and spread positive energy wherever you go. When you’re feeling negative, you can use this affirmation as part of a meditation session to release the negative energy and embrace your divine light instead.
"I trust in the wisdom of the universe to guide me on my path."
Photo by Levi Bare on UnsplashIf you embrace the belief that the universe has a plan for you and trust its guidance, you will be able to view your challenges and struggles from a different perspective. When you feel like your faith in the universe is being tested, repeat this affirmation and be reminded that it’s always leading you toward fulfillment and purpose.
"I’m worthy of all the blessings that come my way."
Photo by James Coleman on UnsplashSometimes, things feel a little too good to be true. That’s our inner saboteur or imposter talking, so you can squash it with this affirmation. Because, yes, you’re indeed worthy of the blessings that come your way. The more certain you are of that, the more you open yourself up to receive the abundance and blessings that the universe has in store for you.
"I release all fears and doubts, allowing my true essence to shine through."
Photo by Phạm Chung 🇻🇳 on UnsplashFear and doubt are a part of the human experience, but they can hold us back if we let them. If you’re feeling any fear or doubt and it’s making you anxious to the point where you’re frozen, speak this affirmation to yourself. Acknowledging and releasing the fear or doubt will allow you to embrace your divine energy with confidence and courage.
"I’m surrounded by love and support, both seen and unseen."
Photo by Vonecia Carswell on UnsplashIt’s not uncommon to sometimes feel like we’re alone, but we’re not. This affirmation will allow you to acknowledge the presence of love and support from both the physical world and the spiritual realm. This provides a strong reminder that you’re never alone in your journey.
"I’m the creator of my reality, manifesting my desires with ease and grace."
Photo by Maja Il on UnsplashManifestation is quite a powerful tool and this affirmation can help you feel more confident of your power as a co-creator of your reality, knowing that your thoughts and intentions can shape your experiences.
"I’m grateful for the abundance that flows into my life effortlessly."
Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on UnsplashCultivating an attitude of gratitude is key not only to recognizing and appreciating the abundance that surrounds you in all its forms but also to attracting even more of that abundance into your life.
"I’m aligned with my higher self, living in harmony with my purpose."
Photo by Casey Horner on UnsplashThis affirmation is a great way to connect with your higher self and remember that you’re aligned with your true purpose, living a life that’s authentic and fulfilling. It will be particularly useful when you’re facing challenges that make you doubt whether you’re on the right path.
"I’m resilient and capable of overcoming any challenges that come my way."
Photo by Jimmy Conover on UnsplashSpeaking of challenges, this affirmation will help you strengthen your belief in your own resilience and ability to navigate through them with grace and perseverance. You’ve survived other challenges before and you will continue to do so. Even if it doesn’t feel that way at the moment, you have the capacity.
"I’m a divine being, worthy of love, joy, and peace in every moment."
Photo by Yoann Boyer on UnsplashLast but not least, this is a simple affirmation that will help you embrace your divine nature fully, confirming your right to experience love, joy, and peace as your birthright in every moment of your life. This affirmation is not just a reminder, it’s an essential truth. The next time you feel like you’re not doing your best, use any of these affirmations to hold space for yourself, manifest, and boost yourself up.
Image by March of Dimes
For Latina mothers, one of the main factors contributing to maternal mortality is a lack of insurance and access to health care. According to a 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Latina mothers were less likely to receive prenatal care compared to white mothers.
Moreover, racial disparities and systemic racism are major factors contributing to maternal mortality among women of color. According to a recent study, the actions of healthcare providers and their interactions with patients reveal an implicit bias for white women and discrimination against women of color.
Not only are women of color often dismissed regarding symptoms and concerns during pregnancy, but they’re also mistreated. A survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 30% of Black women, 29% of Latina women, and 27% of multiracial women experienced mistreatment during pregnancy or birth, compared to 19% of white women.
Within this context, doulas are providing much-needed support to Latina mothers and empowering them through dedicated services.
The Reality of Latina Mothers
In an interview for BBC, Surey Rodriguez-Cortes, a certified doula, shed light on how Latino doulas are changing the field, which “has been composed predominantly of middle-class white women for decades.” Rodriguez-Cortes shared that she has seen a rise in the number of people of color entering doula work every year. Diversity in this field is essential because culture informs the way women approach birth and the decisions they make regarding things like pain management.
For Latina mothers, for example, labor pain is regarded as a motherly obligation, leading them to decline pain medication often. The fact is that traditions and beliefs affect the experience of giving birth, but healthcare providers often don’t consider them because of their biases and stereotypical beliefs about women of color.
There’s proof of consistent stigma and bias in maternity care for Latina women and women of color overall. That manifests through mistreatment like ignoring requests for help, dismissing symptoms of concerns, shouting or scolding, being forced to accept unwanted treatment, and more. For Latina women who don’t speak English, this mistreatment is even more likely.
Giving birth in the U.S., especially for women of color, can be a traumatic experience where mothers feel like they don’t have a voice. Latino doulas seek to change this reality for Latina mothers by providing an empowered birth and postpartum experience. Having a doula makes a big difference, especially if they can incorporate cultural practices, help eliminate language barriers, and provide guidance in navigating the challenges and disparities in the healthcare system.
The Impact of Culturally Competent Doulas
Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional and physical support before, during, and after birth. The term “doulas” and “midwives” is often used interchangeably, but their roles are different. The main difference is that midwives provide medical care while doulas don’t.
The main role of the doula is to make the birthing experience as comfortable as possible through various methods, such as massages, position suggestions, advocacy, and more. In other words, a doula is a protector and a champion for mothers in the delivery room (or at home if mothers decide to have a home birth) and beyond.
What makes Latine doulas different is that they have the cultural background other doulas lack. This allows them to understand Latine mothers, their challenges, and their beliefs a lot better, so they can provide support with the necessary cultural considerations to get them the kind of birth they deserve.
Moreover, Latine doulas eliminate language barriers for mothers who don’t speak English and advocate for them, helping them navigate the healthcare system more effectively. Latine doulas ensure mothers don’t lose their voice at any step of the way, and they listen to their wishes to effectively communicate them to healthcare providers, acting as advocates for mothers.
Latine mothers who have worked with Latine doulas report a more positive birthing experience where they feel heard, protected, and comfortable. Given that they are greatly affected by maternal mortality, having a doula by their side can reduce many of the risks by ensuring that they’re listened to instead of dismissed and tended to instead of mistreated during one of the most consequential moments of their lives.
The often overlooked issue of STDs and their disproportionate impact on the Latino population is a silent threat looming over men and women of all ages, but the numbers are rising among Latinas and it’s urgent to take action. This increase in Latina STDs isn’t only because of a lack of sex education and limited healthcare access; it’s also due to how stigmatized STDs are within Latino culture, where women are often less likely to discuss STDs with family and intimate partners.
Latinas, particularly Latina immigrants, are highly vulnerable to STDs, with studies showing that they comprise a significant portion of HIV diagnoses. Cultural factors, including traditional gender roles, machismo, marianismo, and a lack of sexual education, contribute to this vulnerability.
The lack of insurance and limited communication with medical providers further exacerbate these challenges. While the issue of STDs is often ignored concerning Latinas, the way it’s shaping and affecting Latina health is beginning to appear more frequently in public discourse.
@midwestexpressclinic If you think you may have an STD or have had unprotected sex, visit your nearest Midwest Express Clinic for quick and discreet STD testing! It’s always better to be on the safe side! #std #stdtest #health #midwestexpressclinic
A Closer Look at the Impact of STDs on Latinas
As is often the case with women within communities of color, Latina women are disproportionately vulnerable to health issues like STDs. Studies show they are 1.7 times more likely to develop high-risk HPV infections compared to other racial/ethnic groups, leading to higher rates of cervical cancer.
HIV and other STDs are also particularly common among Latinas, with HIV affecting Latinas more than other races. Moreover, 91% of new HIV cases are a result of heterosexual contact with an HIV infection rate of 4.9%, which is higher than the 4.5% rate for women overall. They’re also more likely to contract gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Misinformation, lack of belief in prevention, negative attitudes toward condoms, and higher rates of unprotected sex contribute to this issue, which has become an epidemic.
Luz Media spoke with Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC), a community health center based in northeast Los Angeles that offers free and low-cost STD healthcare services, to understand what patients are reporting as barriers to STD testing. When asked what Latina patients say are some reasons they didn’t seek STD testing, Marline Santana, a licensed vocational nurse in the STD Testing and Treatment program, said Latina patients tend to have a “low perceived risk, if married or in a relationship, and they consider there is no need to test for STDs/Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). It does not cross their minds that partners may be having sex with other people.”
However, this belief can prevent Latinas from getting early diagnosis and treatment. As an anecdotal example, Angie Gutierrez, STD Program Manager, shared, “One time, we had a patient come in for STD/HIV testing because she found out her husband had been using meth for a few months and had sex with her gay brother, who is also a meth user. Being married for 23 years, she never thought her husband would cheat and put her at risk, which was devastating for her. But she did the right thing by seeking immediate STD testing, and her results came back negative.”
When it comes to STD/STI prevention, Eddy Banuelos, Health Educator, offered this advice for ways in which Latinas can take control of their own sexual health, “[by] talking to your support network about why they should test regularly for HIV/STDs, having open conversations with your medical provider about sexual health, talking to your partners about condom use, not just as a contraceptive method, but also to prevent STD transmission, and taking steps to erase the stigma around STD testing.”
STD Impact on Newborn Babies
Babies are very much affected by Latino parents’ high STD infection rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated data on the overall impact of congenital syphilis–which is when the infection passes from the mom to the baby during pregnancy or during vaginal birth, where the baby can have direct contact with a syphilis sore.
What Latina moms should know is that syphilis infection in their babies can be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment. The CDC found that almost 90% of newborn syphilis cases in 2022 could have been prevented with STD testing and treatment.
Most of these cases are a result of a lack of testing and early detection, which stems from a low sexual health education and leads to improper treatment or no treatment at all. These are some of the reasons why Latino birth parents faced the highest rate of missed prevention opportunities.
Social Media Post by the Houston Chronicle
Similarly, the Los Angeles County Annual HIV Surveillance Report revealed that between 2007 and 2022, 46 newborns were diagnosed with HIV, mostly transmitted from their mothers during pregnancy. These findings show how urgently prenatal care, STD/HIV testing, and STD/HIV treatment are needed in all communities.
STD Impact on Teenagers and Young Adults
STDs pose a significant threat to Latina teenagers, young adults, and adults in the U.S., with disproportionately high rates compared to other demographics. Factors such as increased sexual activity, lack of sexual health education, and cultural beliefs contribute to that threat. However, more knowledge about inexpensive or free resources and encouraging conversations about STDs and the importance of STD testing can help turn things around.
In California, half of reported STD cases occur among individuals aged 15 to 24, with Latinos experiencing particularly elevated rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Among young Latina women (18-24), syphilis cases are higher compared to whites, especially in the western U.S.
Cultural and social factors in the Latino community, misinformation about STDs, and shame around STD testing make the issue worse by causing late diagnosis and inadequate treatment. That’s why it’s so important to be aware that STD testing and treatment are at the tip of your fingers. For instance, the Northeast Valley Health Corporation’s health centers simplify the process for Los Angeles County residents, who can make appointments online or by calling their Sexual Health Hotline (818) 923-9160 and get the support they need.
Are Latinas Less Likely to Discuss Sexual and Reproductive Health with Their Partners?
At the root of the stigmatization of STDs in the Latino community is a cultural shame around sex. This issue isn’t unique to the Latino culture, but it does affect people’s attitudes and beliefs about sex and, therefore, sexual health. There’s a lot of shame/blame surrounding sex and STDs, and it’s linked not only to religion and its conservative norms but also to a lack of education.
We asked the medical staff of NEVHC about shame and fear surrounding STD testing in Latina patients, and Herberth Osorio, HIV Program Administrator, said, “We do see a sense of shame or fear of being labeled as ‘promiscuous’ if they ask for STD testing. If they test positive for an STD, they are afraid to talk to their partner about it because they could be accused of ‘sleeping around with other guys’ and transmitting the STD to them.”
Not only are Latinos, especially Latina women, less likely to talk about sexual and reproductive health, but most of them lack the understanding and language to do so. Machista attitudes also prevent men from openly discussing these things, making it so much more difficult for women to broach the subject.
@sexualhealthalliance Talking to your partner about an STD test. 💬💖 #fyp #relationship #std #partner #communicationskills #healthtips
The issue is not only confined to romantic/sexual relationships. Young Latinas don’t often discuss sex or reproductive health with their parents, and they face a lot more cultural barriers than young Latinos. Traditional values regarding virginity and premarital sex create great conflict for them, making them feel like they have to hide, so they don’t openly discuss sexual health or seek related services.
When asked how NEVHC staff helps Latina patients be more comfortable discussing STDs, Osorio said, “Our health educators can have one-on-one conversations to address the stigma surrounding STD testing and discuss how they are transmitted. Moreover, healthcare providers are open to listening to their patients and addressing their concerns about when and how often to test for STDs. We also have bilingual staff, which helps increase the comfort level of Latina patients while having difficult conversations.”
These are not the only efforts the NEVHC makes to support Latinas in the community.
“We try to reflect the populations we serve and have Latina staff, including Registered Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Medical Assistants. They can educate and empower our Latina patients to increase their knowledge about sexual health and take charge of their own bodies. Shortly, we will offer support groups in Spanish to discuss different topics around sexual health and how to initiate a conversation with partners to enjoy a healthy sex life,” added Howard Maldonado, Clinic Administrator III.
Exploring the Role of Machismo and Its Impact on Latina Sexual Health
@therapylux #machismo #toxicmasculinity #genderstereotypes
Within the context of sexual health, machismo contributes to the limited use of contraceptives among men and an overall disinterest in sexual education. As such, Latinas are less likely to discuss STD testing with partners, let alone contraception or reproductive health.
