(Sharing 5/11/2026) Biweekly CHW Message: BE FAST / RAPIDO During a Stroke

BE FAST / RÁPIDO During A Stroke

Your friend, sitting across a table from you, suddenly loses balance and falls to one side. Though they sit back up OK, they seem to struggle staying upright in their seat. You let them know that this may be a sign of a stroke and that you are going to call 911. They ask you to give them a few minutes and tell you that they will call their doctor in a few hours if they still feel unstable. Do you wait?

The answer is a hard no, in this scenario from an American Stroke Association quiz. What you're seeing is an actual 911 emergency. Key facts for American Stroke Month in May:

• More people under age 50 are experiencing this life-altering event, sometimes called a "brain attack."  Smoking/vaping, high blood pressure and high cholesterol raise the risk. 

• Time is brain: Every minute that a stroke goes untreated, millions of brain cells die. Too many people miss out on effective treatment (clot-busters) because they didn't get treated within 3 hours of the first symptoms, for the most common kind of stroke. 

• In San Antonio, we've seen no improvement over the last 5 years in people using EMS for stroke. More than half of people still arrive by car or bus. It's understandable to try to avoid ambulance bills, but EMS doesn't just race you to the right hospital -- they notify a treatment team so you're set up for immediate evaluation when you get there. Our city's three certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers are at Main Methodist, St. Luke's Baptist and University Hospital in the Medical Center.

• Ways to know more and inform our community:

• CHW training module Spanish | English (1 hour, American Heart Association, certificate provided)

• Self-Guided Lesson with PDF & Presenter Notes at bottom of page; Community Presentation Toolkit (American Stroke Association, use button at top right to switch to Spanish)

• FAST flyer | RÁPIDO flyer

Quick Takes - Because May Is Also the Awareness Month for... 

• Mental Health. Get NIH fact sheets in Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Arabic and more languages at the bottom of this page. Topics are suicide prevention, postpartum depression, child/teen mental health, stress and anxiety. Dozens of other mental health topics are covered by the NIH in Spanish/English here.

• An ounce of prevention: UT Health revamped its free tool that helps teens feel more in control of their lives and mental health. Project Y.E.S.'s 5-10 minute modules are fun and anonymous, flyer attached. 

• Physical Fitness and Sports. Most of us could stand to exercise more. This month, share Move Your Way fact sheets and videos tailored to adults, older adults, kids and pregnant women.

• Asthma. Childhood asthma is the leading cause of missed school days. SA Kids BREATHE's free home visits make a big difference! But if parents decline, then University Health's free athma education classes are another an option. And the attached asthma flyer is full of other resources to share. 

• Skin Cancer. Wondering if a mole needs to be seen by a professional? Use the ABCDE rule.

Infectious Diseases in the News

• Hantavirus will not be the next COVID. It's just not as easily transmissible, nor is it a new virus.

• Two Texans left the MV Hondius and returned to the U.S. before the outbreak was identified. They had no symptoms or contact with a sick person on board, and they are self-monitoring out of an abundance of precaution. The risk to the general public is extremely low.

• It's good that more people are now aware that rodent droppings carry hantavirus. For people exposed to rodent waste at work or home, the State of California created excellent videos, posters and brochures on how to protect yourself.

• Since my last update, the U.S. added 50 measles cases for a total of 1,842 in 2026, with 0 deaths. Mexico has had 10,597 cases and 13 deaths this year. Vaccination remains the most effective protection. Vaccine programs for uninsured adults and uninsured/underinsured children are explained here. 

• Texas respiratory virus levels are Very Low.  Data dashboards: CDC | Metro Health | DSHS | TexWEB wastewater | Walgreens Respiratory Illness Index | National wastewater 

Navigation Resources of the Week

After A Stroke:

o        Patient Guides and Caregiver Guide (American Stroke Association, click at top right for Spanish). The stroke association also runs a warmline, 1-888-4-STROKE (1-888-478-7653), M-F 8:30 AM-5 PM.

o        Local stroke support groups

Mental health:

o        General: Re-attaching the flyer of key local warmline and crisis numbers. Low-cost counseling options include the YMCA, Ecumenical Center, OLLU and St. Mary's. 

o        Moms: Discussion tools from Postpartum Support International can guide conversations with doctors; and trained counselors at the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline are now available by text, 24/7. Hotline flyers 

o        Teens: SA Youth's CALM Clinic offers low-cost/no-cost therapy. For crisis counseling after police stops: Call Blackline

o        Spanish speakers: Project Ayuda offers low-cost counseling for people affected by immigration-related challenges or separations. Also see this Immigrants Rising resource list

o        Deaf community: DeafLead provides trauma-informed crisis intervention, case management and other services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals after disaster or being a victim of a crime.

o        LGBTQ+ community: Trans Lifeline and the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory

•         For low-income uninsured people needing urgent/emergency asthma care, I recommend ExpressMed (at Medical Center, Robert B. Green or Vida locations). It's cheaper than an ER visit, but the ER is right next door if needed, and    

        prescriptions are filled very inexpensively at University Health's pharmacy.

The Travis Park Dermatology Clinic is a free student-run clinic from UT Health, the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month, 4 PM-6:45 PM, in the basement of Travis Park Church.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• NEW: Free medical screenings (blood pressure, diabetes, mental health) at SpinXpress laundromat locations, through UTHouston School of Public Health. Flyer attached; use email address to request dates/times

• May 11, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4114 SW Loop 410 (78227), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

• May 12, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at SA Hope Center, 321 N Gen McMullen (78237), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

• May 12, 10 AM-11 AM, United Way SA info session on Bexar Necessities, a free info exchange tool to help you help clients. Register

• May 12, 10 AM-11 AM, webinar on Applying Community Health Insights to Real-World Challenges, from the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care. Register

• May 12, 11:30 AM-1 PM, NAMI panel discussion on maternal mental health, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1761 NW Loop 410 (78213). RSVP

• May 12, 1 PM-2 PM, online fentanyl awareness training from SACADA. Register.

• May 13, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Impacto Comunitario, 211 N. Park Blvd. (78204), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

• May 13, 1 PM-2 PM, City rental assistance application portal opens (second Wednesday of each month)

• May 14, 8 AM-2 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit and free mammograms (9 AM-1 PM), Coker United Methodist Church, 14630 Wurzbach Pkwy (78216), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

• May 14, 10 AM-11 AM, United Way SA info session on their Family Resource Centers. Register

• May 14, 10 AM-11:30 AM, webinar on Adverse Childhood Experiences with Communities in Schools, from the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care. Register

• May 14, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, webinar on Trauma Informed Services, from NAMI. Register

• May 14, 2 PM-3 PM, Creating Healthy Connections with Dinámicas, webinar from MHP Salud about their workbook of icebreakers/exercises. Register

• May 14, 6 PM-7 PM, Stop the Bleed training by UH at ChildSafe, 3730 E I-10 (78220). Register

• May 15, 9 AM-10 AM, Bexar County CHW Partnership monthly get-together, Rose Hip Market, 116 W. Olmos (78212)

• May 15, 9 AM-2 PM, Latched Community Resource Day for people who are pregnant or have children under 3 years old, Grace Presbyterian Church, 950 Donaldson Ave (78228). Register

• May 15, 9 AM-4 PM, Building Confianza: Voices, Lessons and Actions Health Literacy Summit, Texas A&M Vista Room, 1 University Way (78224). Info and registration

• May 16, 9 AM-noon, return of the San Fernando Health Fair, with a wealth of free screenings and services, 115 Main Plaza (78205). Flyer attached. Vaccine flyer and registration link

• May 16, 9 AM-1 PM, Northwest Vista and UT Health host Building Trust Through Partnership in Community Care; $50 HEB card and 4 hours of non-DSHS certified CE for CHWs. Ministry Center, 4306 Naco Pass (78217). Flyer attached. Register

• May 16, 9 AM-2 PM, women's health bus with free mammograms, Paps and more, YWCA, 2318 Castroville Rd. (78237), contact Teresa at vds@ywcasa.org or 210-956-6943.

• May 16, 10 AM-1 PM, Texas Kidney Foundation health fair including vision screening and mobile dental clinic (cleanings, extractions, fillings), Hebron Baptist, 15561-146447 E Lupon Rd., St. Hedwig (78152), flyer attached.

• May 17, 10 AM-2 PM, District 10 Health & Wellness Fair with free health screenings, St. Helena's Dolan Center, 14714 Edgemont (78247). Flyer

• May 18, 12:30 PM-2 PM, Supporting newcomers to access health care, from the Minnesota Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health. Register

• May 19, 8 AM-1 PM, produce bags, clothing, diapers, health class, women's health bus and more at West Avenue Compassion, 10715 West Avenue (78213)

• May 19, 10 AM-1:20 PM, Safe Sleep Rodeo for life-saving education on infant safe sleep; help provide accessible resources tailored to diverse communities. STRAC, 7500 US Highway 90 West (78227). RSVP to rsvp@strac.org 

• May 20, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at the YWCA, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

• May 20, 3 PM-4 PM, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training online through the Prevention Resource Center. Register

• May 20, 6 PM-7 PM, online fentanyl awareness training from SACADA. Register.

• May 20, 6 PM-7 PM, NAMI and Sacrd.org explain how to find mental health resources. Online, register

• May 20-21 (all day), Viviendo Valiente: CHW HIV education by UTSA and the South Central AETC, meals provided, 14 DSHS-certified CEUs. Register

• May 21, 9 AM-noon, children's vaccines from Christus Mobile Clinic and Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Northern Hills Ministry Ctr, 4306 Naco Pass (78217). Appointment required, call or text 210-954-3764.

• May 21, 9 AM-noon, Sacrd.org Action Lab on mental health and care transitions, including practical training on de-escalation and awareness, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1761 NW Loop 410 (78213). Register

• May 21, 2 PM-3 PM, 2 PM-3 PM, Corazon Ministries mobile medical unit will offer wound care, glucose tests, STI testing, harm reduction services and more at the Central Library, 600 Soledad (78205). Info 

• May 23, 9 AM-3 PM, Health Collaborative Pathways to Health screenings plus follow-up support to establish ongoing care and a trusted medical home, MAUC, 2300 W. Commerce (78207). Flyer attached

• May 27, 9 AM-noon, free flu and COVID vaccines and health screenings at the Mexican Consulate, 127 Navarro (78205), contact Teresa at vds@ywcasa.org or 210-956-6943.

• May 27, noon-1 PM, Introduction to Trauma, by ChildSafe, online. Register

• May 30, 9 AM-noon, Radio La Nuestra mega legal and health fair, with adolescent vaccines, Casa Del Rey, 3685 Culebra Rd (78228). Flyer attached; vaccine flyer and registration link

• May 30, 9 AM-noon, Caritas Ask-A-Lawyer, St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3907 Harry Wurzbach (78209)

• May 30, 10:30 AM-noon, special Rentwise session for young adults on tenant rights and responsibilities, Central Library, 600 Soledad (78205). Register

• May 30, noon-4 PM, Metro Health vaccine pop-up at St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church, 707 McCarty Rd (78216). Info 

• 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.