Amelie G. Ramirez, Dr.P.H., has spent 30 years directing many state-, federal- and privately funded research aimed at reducing chronic disease and cancer health disparities affecting Latinos.
Printer Friendly Format

Amelie G. Ramirez, Dr.P.H., is serving as the liaison between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) for a new review of the effect of chemicals and the environment on the risk of getting breast cancer. Dr. Ramirez is director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Komen is investing more than $1 million for the IOM to assess the strength of the science on links between breast cancer and the environment. Researchers will also consider evidence-based preventive actions women might take to reduce their cancer risk. In addition, the study will provide recommendations for future research in this area.

IOM expert committee
Ramirez, elected to the IOM in 2007 and a member of Komen’s Scientific Advisory Board, will serve as liaison between the groups and participate on the IOM’s new 15-expert committee that will meet periodically on the topic this year.

“I’m extremely excited to help these organizations take a closer look at the role that specific environmental factors play in breast cancer,” Ramirez said. “This effort will examine available evidence and try to find answers regarding the links between the environment, chemicals, lifestyle and cancer risk and development.”

Reducing health disparities and chronic disease
Dr. Ramirez has spent 30 years directing many state-, federal- and privately funded research programs dealing with reducing chronic disease and cancer health disparities among Latinos.

Under her leadership, the IHPR investigates cancer disparities among Latinos, including research on cancer control and prevention, cancer survivorship, smoking prevention and obesity. The IHPR initiated the SaludToday interactive forum dedicated to improving the health of Latinos in the U.S. Ramirez also directs the Cancer Prevention and Population Science research program at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center.