Alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., after smoking and obesity. It contributes to weight gain through excess calories and can make cells more sensitive to other carcinogens, such as tobacco. However, only 45% of U.S. adults recognize alcohol as a cancer risk factor, compared to 89% for tobacco and 53% for obesity. Given this gap in awareness and the potential for compounded cancer risk from multiple risk behaviors, this study examines the association between at-risk drinking, clinically meaningful weight loss (CWL), and co-occurrence of cancer risk behaviors among overweight/obese participants in SANOS (Health and Nutrition for All), a culturally and linguistically tailored nutrition education program for Latino adults. We enrolled 432 Spanish-speaking Latino adults with BMI ≥25 kg/m2. Weight was measured at baseline and 6 months to assess CWL (≥5% reduction). At 6 months, surveys captured data on at-risk drinking (binge: ≥ 4/5 drinks per occasion or heavy: ≥ 8/15 drinks per week for women/men), tobacco use, and moderate-intensity physical activity to assess recent behaviors. Data was also collected on age, health insurance status, employment status, and primary care access (time since last PCP visit). Logistic and linear regression models were used (p < 0.05). Of 432 Spanish-speaking participants (mean age 42.6 ± 9.4 years), 70.4% were female and 44.7% had insurance, mostly Medicaid (80.8%). At 6 months, 21.5% (93/432) reported at-risk drinking. Younger age (OR = 0.97, p = 0.015) and more time since last PCP visit (OR = 1.72, p = 0.013) were associated with at-risk drinking; however, only the association with primary care access remained significant in a regression model adjusting for insurance status, employment, gender, and age (OR = 1.60, p = 0.044). At-risk drinkers compared to those not at-risk showed smaller reductions in weight (x̄ = -1.37 lbs vs. -2.00 lbs), BMI (x̄ = -0.12 kg/m2 vs. -0.39 kg/m2), and waist circumference (x̄= -0.47” vs. -0.68”), with significantly lower odds of achieving CWL (8.6% vs. 18.3%, OR = 0.41, p = 0.029). At-risk drinkers were more likely to report past (OR = 2.56, p = 0.005) and current (OR = 3.06, p = 0.035) tobacco use, and significantly fewer days of moderate-intensity physical activity per week (x̄ = 2.30 vs. 3.15 days/week; β = −0.81, p = 0.011). Compared to those not at risk, at-risk drinkers had higher odds of reporting both smoking and low physical activity concurrently at study completion (OR = 2.73, p = 0.014). At-risk drinkers are less likely to achieve CWL and more likely to report concurrent cancer risk behaviors like tobacco use and low physical activity. Future lifestyle education programs should educate participants on the role of alcohol in cancer risk, alongside diet/nutrition and physical activity counseling. Additionally, interventions should be tailored to participants’ specific risk behavior profiles, informed by initial screening of current risk factors, and readiness to change. Melissa Gaviria Garrido, Bharat Narang, MPH, Ashley M. Rodriguez, Jessica Llamozas, MSN, RN CPH, Robert Payano, Josana Tonda, Gabriela Rebollo, Vanessa Cruz, Francesca Gany, MD, MS, Jennifer Leng, MD, MPH. At-risk alcohol intake and clinically meaningful weight loss among overweight/obese Latinos in a nutrition education program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B033.

Latinos experience a disproportionately high prevalence of obesity and its associated increased risks for cardiovascular disease and certain cancers compared to non-Hispanic whites. Family-centered lifestyle interventions must engage both men and women to increase nutrition knowledge, better distribute care responsibilities, and increase support for parents and caregivers in Latino communities. This study assesses gender differences in recruitment, retention, and preliminary outcomes in Family COMIDA, a pilot community-engaged culturally and linguistically tailored nutrition education program for Latino families. Outreach for participation in Family COMIDA was conducted among Latino adults visiting the New York City Mexican Consulate’s ‘Ventanillas de Salud’ (Health Windows) program. Eligible adults were Spanish-speaking, overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), and were the primary caregivers for at least 1 child < 18. Participants received written and digital educational materials. We measured weight and administered the California Health Interview Survey (to assess self-reported dietary behaviors) at baseline and 3 months. We assessed gender differences in recruitment (eligible individuals who consented to participate); retention (participants who completed the 3-month follow-up); and preliminary outcomes (changes in weight and self-reported dietary behaviors). A total of 76 individuals were interested in participation, among whom 74 completed the eligibility screener (77% women, 23% men). Among them, 65 were eligible, and 51 enrolled (80% (41/51) of women and 71% (10/14) of men). Mean age was 44 (SD 7.3), and 51% had a primary school education or less. 80% of men and 37% of women were employed. At month 3, the retention rate was 98% for women and 60% for men. Mean weight loss among men was 6.1 lbs (SD 6.3), and 5.4 lbs (SD 5.9) among women. Men showed greater improvements in dietary behaviors in many categories, including fruit (+28% men, +15% women), ice cream (-12% men, -8% women), and fried food (-59% men, -35% women) consumption. Recruitment rates were similar for men and women, with men demonstrating greater weight loss and more substantial dietary behavior improvements in several categories. However, fewer men completed the eligibility screener, and retention rates were lower for men, suggesting barriers to male participation. To address barriers to recruitment and retention of Latino men, outreach efforts should include tailoring to Latino men (e.g., scheduling health promotion/outreach events specifically for fathers, adjusting recruitment hours to after-work and weekends to accommodate job demands), and partnering with Hispanic-serving faith- and community-based organizations to highlight the value of participation to Latino men and encourage engagement with all family members. Melissa Gaviria, Bharat Narang, Ashley M. Rodriguez, Jessica Llamozas, Frankie J. Gonzalez, Robert Payano, Jocelyn Galindo Viayra, Luis E. Banegas Ruiz, Alexandra Burgos, Josana Tonda, Vanessa Lucero Cruz, Francesca Gany, Jennifer Leng. Gender differences in recruitment, retention, and preliminary outcomes in a nutrition education program for Latino families [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 1036.

Mexican Americans are among the highest risk groups for obesity and its associated health consequences, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. 154 overweight/obese Mexican Americans recruited from the Mexican Consulate in New York City were enrolled in COMIDA (Consumo de Opciones Más Ideales De Alimentos) (Eating More Ideal Food Options), a 12-week Spanish-language lifestyle intervention that included a dietary counseling session, weight-loss resources, and thrice-weekly text messages. Participants’ weight (primary outcome); dietary intake, physical activity, and nutrition knowledge (secondary outcomes) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Of the 109 who completed follow-up, 28

Mexican Americans are at increased risk for obesity upon immigration to the U.S., increasing their risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Our pilot individual lifestyle intervention culturally tailored for Mexican Americans, COMIDA ( Consumo de Opciones Más Ideales De Alimentos ) (Eating More Ideal Food Options), showed promising results. This paper presents outcomes from the group-based version of COMIDA. 129 overweight/obese Mexican Americans were enrolled in ‘Group COMIDA’. Participants’ weight (primary outcome), dietary intake and nutrition knowledge (secondary outcomes) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Seventeen percent of participants experienced 5% weight loss at follow-up. Post-intervention, participants consumed more fruit and vegetables and fewer sweets and fried foods. A group-based, culturally adapted lifestyle intervention may be a more cost-effective approach than individual interventions to improve dietary behavior among underserved populations, though additional modifications may be considered to increase the intervention’s effectiveness in promoting significant weight loss.

Collaborative partnerships are a useful approach to improve health conditions of disadvantaged populations. The Ventanillas de Salud (VDS) ("Health Windows") and Mobile Health Units (MHUs) are a collaborative initiative of the Mexican government and US public health organizations that use mechanisms such as health fairs and mobile clinics to provide health information, screenings, preventive measures (eg, vaccines), and health services to Mexican people, other Hispanic people, and underserved populations (eg, American Indian/Alaska Native people, geographically isolated people, uninsured people) across the United States. From 2013 through 2019, the VDS served 10.5 million people (an average of 1.5 million people per year) at Mexican consulates in the United States, and MHUs served 115 461 people from 2016 through 2019. We describe 3 community outreach projects and their impact on improving the health of Hispanic people in the United States. The first project is an ongoing collaboration between VDS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address occupational health inequities among Hispanic people. The second project was a collaboration between VDS and CDC to provide Hispanic people with information about Zika virus infection and health education. The third project is a collaboration between MHUs and the University of Arizona to provide basic health services to Hispanic communities in Pima and Maricopa counties, Arizona. The VDS/MHU model uses a collaborative approach that should be further assessed to better understand its impact on both the US-born and non-US-born Hispanic population and the public at large in locations where it is implemented.

Hispanics are the largest U.S. immigrant group and Mexican Americans are the largest U.S. Hispanic population. Hispanics, particularly Mexican Americans, are among the highest risk groups for obesity, placing them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. Obesity lifestyle interventions incorporating Motivational Interviewing techniques and specific adaptations for the population of interest can have a significant impact on reducing health risks. This paper presents a community-engaged, culturally-sensitive nutrition and dietary counseling intervention conducted between 2016 and 2018 at the Consulate General of Mexico in New York City and reports preliminary findings regarding participant satisfaction and self-reported changes in eating and exercise habits. In addition, it describes the community and academic partners’ roles and processes in program development, discusses strengths and challenges posed by a multi-sector partnership and describes adaptations made using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations to increase the program’s sustainability and potential for scalability.

A disproportionately small percentage of the Hispanic/Mexican population in the United States has adequate access to health services, which decreases quality of life at both the individual and community levels. In addition, it increases risk for preventable diseases through insufficient screening and management. The Mexican Section of the U.S./Mexico Border Health Commission, in efforts to address barriers to accessing preventive health care services for vulnerable populations, launched the initiative Juntos por la Salud (JPLS) that offers health promotion and disease prevention services to Hispanics living in and around 11 U.S. metropolitan cities via mobile health units. This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the JPLS initiative and potential positive impact it has had in reducing barriers faced by the Hispanic population. JPLS screens and provides referrals to primary care services to establish a medical home and has the potential to reduce health care costs in a high-risk population through education and timely health screenings.

While individuals of Mexican origin are the largest immigrant group living in the U.S., this population is also the highest uninsured. Health disparities related to access to health care, among other social determinants, continue to be a challenge for this population. The government of Mexico, in an effort to address these disparities and improve the quality of life of citizens living abroad, has partnered with governmental and non-governmental health-care organizations in the U.S. by developing and implementing an initiative known as Ventanillas de Salud—Health Windows—(VDS). The VDS is located throughout the Mexican Consular network and aim to increase access to health care and health literacy, provide health screenings, and promote healthy lifestyle choices among low-income and immigrant Mexican populations in the U.S.

Latino immigrants are 50% more likely than all workers in the United States to experience a fatal injury at work. Occupational safety and health (OSH) organizations often find that the approaches and networks they successfully use to promote OSH among U.S.-born workers are ineffective at reaching Latino immigrants. This article describes the collaboration between the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores) to promote OSH among Mexican immigrant workers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs operates 50 consulates throughout the U.S. that provide four million discrete service contacts with Mexican citizens annually. The focus of this ongoing collaboration is to develop the internal capacity of Mexican institutions to promote OSH among Mexican immigrants while simultaneously developing NIOSH's internal capacity to create effective and sustainable initiatives to better document and reduce occupational health disparities for Mexican immigrants in the U.S.

Mexicans are the largest immigrant group in the US. Little is known about their urban occupational health status. We assess occupational illness, injury, and safety training among New York City Mexican immigrants. This study is a consecutive sample of the Mexican immigrant population utilizing Mexican Consulate services in New York City over two weeks in March 2009. Bilingual research assistants approached persons waiting in line at the Consulate and administered an occupational health questionnaire. 185 people agreed to participate. Most work in restaurants (37%), cleaning (18%), construction (12%), babysitting/nanny (7%), retail (9%), and factories (5%). 22% had received safety training. 18% reported work-related pain or illness. 18% suffered from a job-related injury since immigrating. Most injuries were in construction, factories, and restaurants. 29% had not reported their injury. This study provides evidence that the urban Mexican immigrant population is at high risk for work-related illness and injury, is not receiving adequate safety training, and is under-reporting occupational injury. Culturally and linguistically responsive community outreach programs are needed to provide occupational health and safety information and resources for urban Mexican workers.