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(Sharing 2/16/2026)Biweekly CHW message -Climate Health Protects Heart Health

  • Aug 7
  • 7 min read

Climate Health Protects Heart Health

This American Heart Month, as clean-air standards make headlines, consider that air pollution raises the community-wide rate of heart attacks, heart failure, irregular heartbeat and stroke. This is because our hearts and blood vessels are sensitive to ozone and tiny particles of pollution (called PM2.5). This is especially true if someone already has heart disease. An attached flyer explains pollution's effects.

  • Communities of color are more likely to have heart conditions and live near air pollution--a double whammy.  Clean air laws can help.

  • The EPA explains steps we can take to protect our hearts: English | Spanish

  • Ozone season starts March 1. You can find San Antonio's daily air quality and 5-day forecast here. An Air Quality Index less than 50 is good. 

  • Ways we can clean up our air (Metro Health): Individuals | Businesses

  • Want to learn more about climate health, free? For basics, try the New England Public Health Training Center (computer-based) or the new One Health module from HealthMap (mobile app). To explore environmental health & justice, try this 30-minute module from the Midwestern Public Health Training Center -- some resources mentioned have moved, but they all still exist, and I used the CDC's dashboard to download an Environmental Justice Index report for Bexar County, attached.

Spotlight: New CHW Core Competencies

Reminder that changes to the CHW and CHW instructor core competencies took effect Feb. 1. These include a new Evaluation and Research Skills area, aligning with national C3 standards. Learn more from DSHS' FAQ.

Respiratory Infection Updates

Texas respiratory virus levels are moderate. Nationally, CDC notes high flu severity among children this season (66 U.S. pediatric deaths so far). Continue to use precautions, we're not out of the woods.

Health Navigation Resources of the Week

·                     Happy National Children's Dental Health Month--here's a list of Pediatric Dental Providers, including a few open on Saturdays. Also, check your San Antonio public children's library for extra oral health events and freebies all month long.  

·                     Fasting during Ramadan (Feb. 17-Mar. 19) can wreak havoc on diabetes control, so the Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) made the attached flyer to share with community, on medication management, suhoor and breaking the fast.

·                     Newly updated: Local Resources for Pediatric and Family Mental Health and Resilience (Metro Health)

·                     What is TrumpRx.gov? It's not an online pharmacy. It is a new source for drug discount coupons, matching the prices that uninsured people can get through Patient Assistance Programs (and in many cases, through GoodRx or SingleCare). For people without insurance, it's easier to print a discount coupon than to apply through the manufacturer--just shop around first.  For people with health insurance, and for people who can use cheaper generic medicines, this will not save money.

·                     Concerned about toxins in baby formula? Trust this Consumer Reports rundown and know that the FDA plans to release its own research in April. [Backstory: A new website from Florida's government posts worrisome info but is short on key details, such as whether organic (non-toxic) or inorganic arsenic was found. As far as the claims about arsenic in candy, these articles in English and Spanish offer balanced insights.] 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities  .

  • Apply by Feb. 27: Bexar County grants to nonprofits for $25K to $50K to address gaps in services, by supporting initiatives that have the potential for the greatest impact on the quality of life for individuals and families living in Bexar County. Details

  • Apply by Mar. 4: AARP community improvement grants for projects like new crosswalks, benches, home modifications, enhanced parks and open spaces, digital connectivity and disaster preparedness that especially benefit people ages 50 and older. Details and application link

  • Feb. 16-28: Annual chance to clear traffic and Class C misdemeanor warrants without risk of arrest—includes Saturday hours Feb. 21 and 28. Info

  • Feb. 17-18, 2 PM-3 PM, NACHW and American Diabetes Association training on diabetes & eye health, diabetes & vaccines. Online. Register

  • Feb. 18, 27 and Mar. 2, free mammograms at the YWCA, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237). Make an appointment at 210-433-9922 x212 or email amora@ywcasa.org or bgarcia@ywcsa.org.

  • Feb. 18, 9 AM-noon, free blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose screenings and flu and COVID vaccines, Ventanilla de Salud, 127 Navarro st. (78205)

  • Feb. 18, 10 AM-11 AM, webinar on trauma-informed care for male survivors, Institute for Trauma Informed Care. Register

  • Feb. 18, 12 PM-1 PM, Capacitación para Promotores/Cómo Hacer una Presentación, por Zoom, CE disponible. Para más información: Martha Castilla, CastillaM@uthscsa.edu, 210-660-3270

  • Feb. 18 and 25 at 2 PM: Texas A&M AgriLife continues its Heart Health series, 1615 Sherman (78202).Info and registration QR code (page 2)

  • Feb. 18, 6 PM-7 PM, online fentanyl awareness training from SACADA. Register.

  • Feb. 19, 3 PM-4 PM, online QPR suicide prevention training from SACADA. Register

  • Feb. 19, 3 PM-4 PM, free bystander intervention training to support the immigrant community, Right to Be. Info and registration

  • Feb. 20, 9 AM-10 AM, Bexar County CHW Partnership coffee & conversation, Rose Hip Market, 116 Olmos (78212).

  • Feb. 20, noon-1 PM, Communicating with Confianza health literacy ECHO. Learn more and register

  • Feb. 20 & 27, 12-3 PM, Yanawana Herbolarios People's Clinic, Maverick Park, 1000 Broadway (78215). More info

  • Feb. 21, 8 AM-10 AM, Men's Mental Health Breakfast from Sinclairity Consulting, 10843 Gulfdale Street (78216). Details

  • Feb. 21, 8:30 AM-noon, National Weather Service Severe Weather and Flood Training, Trinity University Fiesta Room - Coates Student Center, One Trinity Place (78212). Agenda and registration

  • Feb. 21, 9 AM-noon, Nueva Community Services health & resource fair with dental, vision, mental health services & vaccines (adolescent, flu, COVID), 4675 Callaghan Rd (78228). Info

  • Feb. 21, 10 AM-2 PM, experiential community mental health event including EMDR, sensory centering, art and music therapy, talk therapy, gardening therapy, body work and more, San Antonio Behavioral Health, 8550 Huebner Rd. (78240). Info

  • Feb. 21, noon- 2PM, workshop for families on how to transfer property on death to ensure housing security, St. Martin de Porres Church, 1730 Dahlgreen Ave (78237), flyer attached.

  • Feb. 21, noon-2 PM, Health Plática by District 5 and Metro Health with speakers, STI screenings and produce bags, Las Palmas Library, 515 Castroville Rd. (78237). Info

  • Feb. 23, 10 AM-11 AM, Human Trafficking 101 training from ChildSafe, virtual, register

  • Feb. 24, 10 AM-noon, Let's Talk - Safe Infant Sleep Train-the-Trainer, from Healthy Families Network, 4415 W. Piedras, 2nd floor conference room, flyer attached. Register

  • Feb. 25, 12 PM-1 PM, Capacitación para Promotores/Cómo Enseñar a Adultos,  por Zoom, CE disponible. Para más información: Martha Castilla, CastillaM@uthscsa.edu, 210-660-3270

  • Feb. 26 at 5 PM: Texas A&M AgriLife continues its Heart Health series, 3300 Hillcrest Dr. (78201). Info and registration QR code (page 3)

  • Feb. 27, 9 AM-3 PM, AACOG health fair for seniors with free screenings including oral health, vision, hearing, prescription review, diabetes awareness and foot care, Claude Black Multi-Service Center, 2805 E. Commerce (78203). Info

  • Feb. 27, 10 AM-noon, free vision screening event for adults, with vouchers and eyeglass scholarships, 127 Navarro St. (78205)

  • Feb. 28, 9 AM-noon, Catholic Charities Ask a Lawyer event, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2123 W. Commerce St. (78207)

  • Feb. 28, 9:30-11:30 AM,  free cardiac screenings for young athletes from AugustHeart, 4940 Broadway Suite #226 (78209). Register

  • Feb. 28, 10 AM-1 PM, Aging Well Conference: Heart to Heart - Owning Your Heart Health, COVID and flu and adolescent vaccines available, South Central AHEC, 3014 Rivas (78228). Info

  • Mar. 3, 7 AM-7 PM, Election Day. NACHW has tools to help you encourage folks to vote, attached. Why March elections matter. Voter info

  • Mar. 4, 9 AM-1 PM, mammograms at Empower House,  847 E. Drexel (78210). Register; if uninsured, call 210-704-4100 to arrange assistance.

  • Mar. 4,  12 PM-1 PM, Capacitación para Promotores/Usando Cuentos y Fotonovelas para Enseñar,  por Zoom, CE disponible. Para más información: Martha Castilla, CastillaM@uthscsa.edu, 210-660-3270

  • Each week, Westcare puts out a packed, magazine-format roundup of upcoming community events—read it by clicking here. 

  • San Antonio Compassion posts flyers for resources and upcoming events here.

Logistics—How Do I Get…  

VACCINES 

  • Uninsured? For recommended childhood vaccines and some adult vaccines, click the green buttons on this page for Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net providers.

  • Insured? Use a pharmacy--it's fast and no-cost to you. The American Pharmacists Association offers this pharmacy map -- filter by walk-in vaccine access, handicap accessibility, hours of operation and spoken languages. (No matter what the map says, it still helps to make an appointment.) 

  • Homebound seniors: Medicare will pay a doctor or other care provider to give flu, COVID-19, Hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccines in the home, more info here.

  • Everyone is still eligible for COVID vaccines this year, and it is still covered by insurance. Hate the side effects? Look for the non-mRNA formulation (the "protein vaccine" here). 

    • No prescription is required at the major national pharmacy chains.

    • For those without health insurance, this is the best discount coupon I've found ($89 as of January 2026)--still pricey, but cheaper than the treatment pills. 

  • If you are unable to get the vaccine, remember the old standbys of clean air, frequent handwashing, masking, staying away from others who are sick (and also when you're sick). More info

TESTING

  • The federal program for free home tests has ended. Some health insurers still cover these.

  • How to Use Home COVID and Flu Tests:

    • Lab tests are preferred for people with symptoms. If you are unable to obtain a lab test, then repeat your home COVID test every 48 hours for a total of at least two tests.

    • If any result is positive, stay home and away from others for at least 24 hours—until your symptoms are getting better and you’ve haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours (without taking fever reducers). What to Do If You Feel Sick (CDC)

  • Before throwing out an expired home test, see if the expiration date was extended by checking the Expiration Date column of the FDA’s List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests.

TREATMENT 

  • Medications must start quickly (within 5 days of symptoms for COVID, within just 2-3 days for the flu)—so don’t delay getting a test and a diagnosis. 

  • If you are at risk for complications and need antiviral pills: Low-cost online visits are available. Some people are eligible for co-pay assistance from the drug manufacturer. Learn more. 

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