RE: Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

February 10, 2006

Ruby,

There

is a serious outbreak of the disease pterygium among Hispanic men. It is a serious eye disease and I need

to get

the

word out to collaborator organizations.

Contact me at (707) 464-7441 ext 292.

Sincerely,

Rene

Quintana

ALMA

Del

Norte

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Ruby Marentes

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

8:12 AM

To:

Subject: [ ]

Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

-----Original

Message-----

From: Rebeca L. Ramos [mailto:rebeca@...]

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 7:29 AM

Cc: Colon-Cartagena, A.

Subject: Promotoras

These articles

are either available or will soon be available (two in the

process of being

published)

Ramos RL,

and Ferreira-Pinto JB, (2005) A Transcultural Approach to Peer

Case Management:

a case control study of cost effectiveness. Submitted for

publication,

being edited.

Ramos RL, et al

(2005) Promovision: Designing a Promotores Capacity-Building

Program. Health Promotion

Practice (scheduled for publication) Journal of

the Society for

Public Health Education

Ramos R.L. Et al

(2002) A Tested Model for Organizational and Community

Capacity-Building

in AIDS Prevention Programs AIDS Education and Prevention

May 14(3) 196-205

The USMBHA has

all the training manual that were used in the above mentioned

tested model for

capacity building, the target audience are Promotoras. In

addition with CDC

funding we are now expanding our capacity building model

from an individual

and organizational one to a more structural approach,

working with

groups of Promotoras. Please let me know how else I can be of

service.

Saludos,

Rebeca

______________________

Rebeca L. Ramos, MS, MPH

Technical

Director

US Mexico

Border Health Association

E-mail:

rebeca@...

Ruby A. Marentes

US-Mexico Border Health Association

PROMOVISION (Focus Area 3)

5400 Suncrest Dr.

Ste. C-5

El Paso, TX 79912

Tel. (915) 833-6450 ext. 27

Fax (915) 833-7840

February 10, 2006

Pterygium is not an infectious disease, so there cannot be an "outbreak." However, pterygium is a highly prevalent condition among farmworkers. This past summer (2005) we examined the eyes (using telemedicine techniques) of 296 farmworkers in eastern North Carolina. Ptergyia were present in one or both eyes of 69 individuals (23.3%). We are currently writeing the paper describing these results, and hope to have it submitted for peer-review in the next month.

A. Arcury, PhD

Professor and Research Director

Department of Family and Community Medicine

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084

phone: 336-716-9438

fax: 336-716-3206

e-mail: tarcury@...

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Rene QuintanaSent: Friday, February 10, 2006 11:41 AM Subject: RE: [ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Ruby,

There is a serious outbreak of the disease pterygium among Hispanic men. It is a serious eye disease and I need to get

the word out to collaborator organizations. Contact me at (707) 464-7441 ext 292.

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

ALMA

Del Norte

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of Ruby MarentesSent: Friday, February 10, 2006 8:12 AM Subject: [ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

-----Original Message-----From: Rebeca L. Ramos [mailto:rebeca@...] Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 7:29 AM Cc: Colon-Cartagena, A.Subject: Promotoras

These articles are either available or will soon be available (two in the

process of being published)

Ramos RL, and Ferreira-Pinto JB, (2005) A Transcultural Approach to Peer

Case Management: a case control study of cost effectiveness. Submitted for

publication, being edited.

Ramos RL, et al (2005) Promovision: Designing a Promotores Capacity-Building

Program. Health Promotion Practice (scheduled for publication) Journal of

the Society for Public Health Education

Ramos R.L. Et al (2002) A Tested Model for Organizational and Community

Capacity-Building in AIDS Prevention Programs AIDS Education and Prevention

May 14(3) 196-205

The USMBHA has all the training manual that were used in the above mentioned

tested model for capacity building, the target audience are Promotoras. In

addition with CDC funding we are now expanding our capacity building model

from an individual and organizational one to a more structural approach,

working with groups of Promotoras. Please let me know how else I can be of

service.

Saludos,

Rebeca

______________________

Rebeca L. Ramos, MS, MPH

Technical Director

US Mexico Border Health Association

E-mail: rebeca@...

Ruby A. Marentes

US-Mexico Border Health Association

PROMOVISION (Focus Area 3)

5400 Suncrest Dr. Ste. C-5

El Paso, TX 79912

Tel. (915) 833-6450 ext. 27

Fax (915) 833-7840

February 10, 2006

, its good to hear from you and I agree information

available does state that it is not a contagion. But there is something happening with the dynamic of this

disease. We do have an epidemic on

our hands. Representatives in

California are attempting to ignore this common disease among Hispanic men. I

am not sure if its fear or just plain stupidity. I have some preliminary information

that can help our research. I need

your direct e-mail. You also need

to get a hold of Dr. Twelker, PHD MD who confirms my research. , the disease is so common that is

viewed as the norm among Hispanic men.

They are not

concerning themselves with it. The disease is far more aggressive than

what is stated in medical documents, painful and I am seeing facial

paralysis. Whether or not this disease

has genetically transformed into a contagion is unknown and cannot be ruled

out. However, for medical

representatives to ignore this epidemic

is unacceptable, it is not going to go away but

become worse. We have an epidemic

on our hands and it is plain as day. In my research 70% of Hispanic men

are developing some stage of this disease.

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

ALMA

Del Norte

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Arcury - Family Medicine

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

10:01 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Pterygium is not an

infectious disease, so there cannot be an " outbreak. " However,

pterygium is a highly prevalent condition among farmworkers. This past

summer (2005) we examined the eyes (using telemedicine techniques) of 296

farmworkers in eastern North Carolina. Ptergyia were present in one

or both eyes of 69 individuals (23.3%). We are currently writeing the

paper describing these results, and hope to have it submitted for peer-review

in the next month.

A. Arcury, PhD

Professor

and Research Director

Department

of Family and Community Medicine

Wake

Forest University School of Medicine

Winston-Salem,

NC 27157-1084

phone:

336-716-9438

fax:

336-716-3206

e-mail:

tarcury@...

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Rene Quintana

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

11:41 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Ruby,

There

is a serious outbreak of the disease pterygium among Hispanic men. It is a serious eye disease and I need

to get

the

word out to collaborator organizations. Contact me at (707) 464-7441 ext 292.

Sincerely,

Rene

Quintana

ALMA

Del

Norte

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Ruby Marentes

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

8:12 AM

To:

Subject: [ ]

Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

-----Original

Message-----

From: Rebeca L. Ramos [mailto:rebeca@...]

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 7:29 AM

Cc: Colon-Cartagena, A.

Subject: Promotoras

These articles

are either available or will soon be available (two in the

process of being

published)

Ramos RL,

and Ferreira-Pinto JB, (2005) A Transcultural Approach to Peer

Case Management:

a case control study of cost effectiveness. Submitted for

publication,

being edited.

Ramos RL, et al

(2005) Promovision: Designing a Promotores Capacity-Building

Program. Health

Promotion Practice (scheduled for publication) Journal of

the Society for

Public Health Education

Ramos R.L. Et al

(2002) A Tested Model for Organizational and Community

Capacity-Building

in AIDS Prevention Programs AIDS Education and Prevention

May 14(3) 196-205

The USMBHA has all

the training manual that were used in the above mentioned

tested model for

capacity building, the target audience are Promotoras. In

addition with CDC

funding we are now expanding our capacity building model

from an

individual and organizational one to a more structural approach,

working with

groups of Promotoras. Please let me know how else I can be of

service.

Saludos,

Rebeca

______________________

Rebeca L. Ramos, MS, MPH

Technical

Director

US Mexico

Border Health Association

E-mail: rebeca@...

Ruby A. Marentes

US-Mexico Border Health Association

PROMOVISION (Focus Area 3)

5400 Suncrest Dr.

Ste. C-5

El Paso, TX 79912

Tel. (915) 833-6450 ext. 27

Fax (915) 833-7840

February 11, 2006

I have been following the pterygium

discussion with interest. It is my understanding that pterygium is not

infectious, but is caused by frequent exposure of the eyes to UV rays

(sunlight). I believe that the working conditions endured by so many Hispanic

farm workers, may be the biggest contributing factor to increased rates of pterygium.

Since Hispanic male farm workers out number females it makes sense that they

more often present with the condition. High quality sunglasses, that block UV

rays, is one preventive measure for people who must work outside, along with a broad

brimmed hat or hats with a bill that provide shade for the face. I don’t

know if there is an education program in place that speaks to the need for eye

protection from UV rays during all outside activities. It would be very

important to have one. Not only does exposure of the eyes to UV rays increase

risk for pterygium but it increases the risk for developing cataracts in later

years (not to mention skin cancer). Both of these diseases may affect sight or

cause blindness if left untreated.

There are many questions about this that

need to be addressed. Are rates of pterygium on the increase in all farm workers

and if so is there an environmental change that is causing the increase (such

as reduction in the ozone layer)? Other questions might be are Hispanics at

greater risk for pterygium formation than other groups or do farm workers who

must look up to perform their jobs (stone fruit pickers) have higher rates of

pterygium than farm workers who must bend over to do their jobs (strawberry pickers)?

The last question might be a moot point as many farm workers go where the crops

are mature and probably perform many different tasks.

I would be very interested in any research

being done about this condition in the context of Hispanic farm workers.

Respectfully,

Dawn M. Lane

Department of Nursing

Central Oregon Community College

Bend, Oregon

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Rene Quintana

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

10:49 AM

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

, its

good to hear from you and I agree information available does state that it is

not a contagion. But there is something happening with the dynamic of

this disease. We do have an epidemic on our hands. Representatives

in California

are attempting to ignore this common disease among Hispanic men. I

am not sure if

its fear or just plain stupidity. I have some preliminary information

that can help our research. I need your direct e-mail. You also

need to get a hold of Dr. Twelker, PHD MD who confirms my research.

, the disease is so common that is viewed as the norm among Hispanic

men. They are not

concerning

themselves with it. The disease is far more aggressive than what is

stated in medical documents, painful and I am seeing facial paralysis.

Whether or not this disease has genetically transformed into a contagion is

unknown and cannot be ruled out. However, for medical representatives to

ignore this epidemic

is

unacceptable, it is not going to go away but become worse. We have an

epidemic on our hands and it is plain as day. In my research 70% of Hispanic

men

are developing

some stage of this disease.

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

ALMA

Del Norte

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Arcury - Family Medicine

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

10:01 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Pterygium is not an

infectious disease, so there cannot be an " outbreak. " However,

pterygium is a highly prevalent condition among farmworkers. This past

summer (2005) we examined the eyes (using telemedicine techniques) of 296

farmworkers in eastern North Carolina. Ptergyia

were present in one or both eyes of 69 individuals (23.3%). We are

currently writeing the paper describing these results, and hope to have it

submitted for peer-review in the next month.

A. Arcury, PhD

Professor

and Research Director

Department

of Family and Community Medicine

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084

phone:

336-716-9438

fax:

336-716-3206

e-mail:

tarcury@...

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Rene Quintana

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

11:41 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Ruby,

There

is a serious outbreak of the disease pterygium among Hispanic men. It is

a serious eye disease and I need to get

the

word out to collaborator organizations. Contact me at (707) 464-7441 ext

292.

Sincerely,

Rene

Quintana

ALMA

Del

Norte

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Ruby Marentes

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

8:12 AM

To:

Subject: [ ]

Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

-----Original

Message-----

From: Rebeca L. Ramos [mailto:rebeca@...]

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 7:29 AM

Cc: Colon-Cartagena, A.

Subject: Promotoras

These articles

are either available or will soon be available (two in the

process of being

published)

Ramos RL,

and Ferreira-Pinto JB, (2005) A Transcultural Approach to Peer

Case Management: a

case control study of cost effectiveness. Submitted for

publication,

being edited.

Ramos RL, et al

(2005) Promovision: Designing a Promotores Capacity-Building

Program. Health

Promotion Practice (scheduled for publication) Journal of

the Society for Public

Health Education

Ramos R.L. Et al

(2002) A Tested Model for Organizational and Community

Capacity-Building

in AIDS Prevention Programs AIDS Education and Prevention

May 14(3) 196-205

The USMBHA has

all the training manual that were used in the above mentioned

tested model for

capacity building, the target audience are Promotoras. In

addition with CDC

funding we are now expanding our capacity building model

from an

individual and organizational one to a more structural approach,

working with groups

of Promotoras. Please let me know how else I can be of

service.

Saludos,

Rebeca

______________________

Rebeca

L. Ramos, MS, MPH

Technical

Director

US Mexico

Border Health Association

E-mail:

rebeca@...

Ruby A. Marentes

US-Mexico Border Health Association

PROMOVISION (Focus Area 3)

5400 Suncrest Dr. Ste. C-5

El Paso, TX 79912

Tel. (915) 833-6450 ext. 27

Fax (915) 833-7840

February 13, 2006

Dear

Dawn,

As

someone who works directly with farm workers and is fluent in the Spanish language

I’ve been able to basically communicate

with these workers. I began my research over 3 years ago and includes 9 upper

state California counties. It was

brought to my attention one evening as I saw workers getting off the evening

shift in fruit processing.

Everyone had pterygium. It

was so disturbing that I stopped my shopping and began to speak

with the workers and observe the disease. I had no idea what it was at first but

began to take photos. Since then I

have compiled research and made

contact with Dr. Twelker, the head of the Optometry

at UC who wrote his thesis on pterygium.

He agrees there is an epidemic.

What I have found disturbing is the reaction by key

medical officials that have attempted to down play this epidemic. Yes they agree there

is a serious problem but have done nothing to get the

word out and begin prevention. Based

on my research it is in my opinion that

pterygium has transgressed into a contagion like pink

eye. The research that is

presented on the internet is basic and inaccurate. Hispanic

men are sharing with me the degrees of pain they feel

with this disease, burning sensations, paralysis and sharp pin like

feelings.

The level of pterygium among Hispanic men is at a

epidemic level with cases increasing everyday. Women have a lower occurrence

but develop a more aggressive form of the disease

with both eyes being affected.

What I have found very disturbing is how many

health officials are just ignoring it brushing it off

like a common rash. This is not a

common rash but a serious blinding disease that

is out of control.

Dawn, get down to where the workers are and see a

group of them, so many researchers fail at this because they do not get in

contact

with the people they are researching. Look at their eyes, especially the

Hispanic men and you will see flagrant and wide-spread of

pterygium.

Its very disturbing. I need

for collaborators to get the word out.

Send me your e-mail and I will send you my research.

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

Adelante

Del Norte

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Dawn M. Lane

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

11:19 PM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

I have been following the

pterygium discussion with interest. It is my understanding that pterygium is

not infectious, but is caused by frequent exposure of the eyes to UV rays (sunlight).

I believe that the working conditions endured by so many Hispanic farm workers,

may be the biggest contributing factor to increased rates of pterygium. Since

Hispanic male farm workers out number females it makes sense that they more

often present with the condition. High quality sunglasses, that block UV rays,

is one preventive measure for people who must work outside, along with a broad

brimmed hat or hats with a bill that provide shade for the face. I don’t know

if there is an education program in place that speaks to the need for eye

protection from UV rays during all outside activities. It would be very

important to have one. Not only does exposure of the eyes to UV rays increase

risk for pterygium but it increases the risk for developing cataracts in later

years (not to mention skin cancer). Both of these diseases may affect sight or

cause blindness if left untreated.

There are many questions

about this that need to be addressed. Are rates of pterygium on the increase in

all farm workers and if so is there an environmental change that is causing the

increase (such as reduction in the ozone layer)? Other questions might be are

Hispanics at greater risk for pterygium formation than other groups or do farm

workers who must look up to perform their jobs (stone fruit pickers) have

higher rates of pterygium than farm workers who must bend over to do their jobs

(strawberry pickers)? The last question might be a moot point as many farm

workers go where the crops are mature and probably perform many different

tasks.

I would be very

interested in any research being done about this condition in the context of

Hispanic farm workers.

Respectfully,

Dawn M. Lane

Department of Nursing

Central Oregon

Community College

Bend, Oregon

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Rene Quintana

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

10:49 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

, its good to hear from you and I agree information available does

state that it is not a contagion. But there is something happening with

the dynamic of this disease. We do have an epidemic on our hands.

Representatives in California

are attempting to ignore this common disease among Hispanic men. I

am not sure if its fear or just plain stupidity. I have some

preliminary information that can help our research. I need your direct

e-mail. You also need to get a hold of Dr. Twelker, PHD MD who confirms

my research. , the disease is so common that is viewed as the norm

among Hispanic men. They are not

concerning themselves with it. The disease is far more aggressive

than what is stated in medical documents, painful and I am seeing facial

paralysis. Whether or not this disease has genetically transformed into a

contagion is unknown and cannot be ruled out. However, for medical

representatives to ignore this epidemic

is unacceptable, it is not going to go away but become worse. We

have an epidemic on our hands and it is plain as day. In my research 70% of

Hispanic men

are developing some stage of this disease.

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

ALMA

Del Norte

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Arcury - Family Medicine

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

10:01 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Pterygium

is not an infectious disease, so there cannot be an " outbreak. "

However, pterygium is a highly prevalent condition among farmworkers.

This past summer (2005) we examined the eyes (using telemedicine techniques) of

296 farmworkers in eastern North

Carolina. Ptergyia were present in one or

both eyes of 69 individuals (23.3%). We are currently writeing the paper

describing these results, and hope to have it submitted for peer-review in the

next month.

A. Arcury, PhD

Professor

and Research Director

Department

of Family and Community Medicine

Wake Forest

University School

of Medicine

Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084

phone:

336-716-9438

fax:

336-716-3206

e-mail:

tarcury@...

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Rene Quintana

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

11:41 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Ruby,

There is a serious outbreak of the disease pterygium among Hispanic men.

It is a serious eye disease and I need to get

the word out to collaborator organizations. Contact me at (707) 464-7441

ext 292.

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

ALMA

Del Norte

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Ruby Marentes

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006

8:12 AM

To:

Subject: [ ]

Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

-----Original

Message-----

From: Rebeca L. Ramos [mailto:rebeca@...]

Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 7:29 AM

Cc: Colon-Cartagena, A.

Subject: Promotoras

These articles

are either available or will soon be available (two in the

process of being

published)

Ramos RL,

and Ferreira-Pinto JB, (2005) A Transcultural Approach to Peer

Case Management:

a case control study of cost effectiveness. Submitted for

publication,

being edited.

Ramos RL, et al

(2005) Promovision: Designing a Promotores Capacity-Building

Program. Health

Promotion Practice (scheduled for publication) Journal of

the Society for

Public Health Education

Ramos R.L. Et al

(2002) A Tested Model for Organizational and Community

Capacity-Building

in AIDS Prevention Programs AIDS Education and Prevention

May 14(3) 196-205

The USMBHA has

all the training manual that were used in the above mentioned

tested model for

capacity building, the target audience are Promotoras. In

addition with CDC

funding we are now expanding our capacity building model

from an

individual and organizational one to a more structural approach,

working with

groups of Promotoras. Please let me know how else I can be of

service.

Saludos,

Rebeca

______________________

Rebeca L. Ramos, MS, MPH

Technical

Director

US Mexico

Border Health Association

E-mail:

rebeca@...

Ruby A. Marentes

US-Mexico Border Health Association

PROMOVISION (Focus Area 3)

5400 Suncrest Dr.

Ste. C-5

El Paso, TX 79912

Tel. (915) 833-6450 ext. 27

Fax (915) 833-7840

February 15, 2006

Hello Everyone,

In response to the concerns about pterygium and informing farmworkers and others about it, I'd like to point out 2 resources for working with farmworkers to improve their eye health and safety:

The Farmworker Eye Care Network is a venue for networking and communicating key information on eye care and eye injury prevention. http://www.fenet.org/

Migrant Health Promotion developed an Eye Health Training Kit for Camp Health Aides/Promotores(as) and Farmworkers. The kit was developed in collaboration with NIOSH, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Great Lakes Center for Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health, and Community Health Partnership. It includes a bilingual chapter on eye health, Teaching Notes for teaching the content of the chapter, and additional health education outlines and activities. You may view and download it at www.migranthealth.org

Tori Booker

Associate Director

Migrant Health Promotion

tbooker@...

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of Dawn M. LaneSent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 2:19 AM Subject: RE: [ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

I have been following the pterygium discussion with interest. It is my understanding that pterygium is not infectious, but is caused by frequent exposure of the eyes to UV rays (sunlight). I believe that the working conditions endured by so many Hispanic farm workers, may be the biggest contributing factor to increased rates of pterygium. Since Hispanic male farm workers out number females it makes sense that they more often present with the condition. High quality sunglasses, that block UV rays, is one preventive measure for people who must work outside, along with a broad brimmed hat or hats with a bill that provide shade for the face. I don’t know if there is an education program in place that speaks to the need for eye protection from UV rays during all outside activities. It would be very important to have one. Not only does exposure of the eyes to UV rays increase risk for pterygium but it increases the risk for developing cataracts in later years (not to mention skin cancer). Both of these diseases may affect sight or cause blindness if left untreated.

There are many questions about this that need to be addressed. Are rates of pterygium on the increase in all farm workers and if so is there an environmental change that is causing the increase (such as reduction in the ozone layer)? Other questions might be are Hispanics at greater risk for pterygium formation than other groups or do farm workers who must look up to perform their jobs (stone fruit pickers) have higher rates of pterygium than farm workers who must bend over to do their jobs (strawberry pickers)? The last question might be a moot point as many farm workers go where the crops are mature and probably perform many different tasks.

I would be very interested in any research being done about this condition in the context of Hispanic farm workers.

Respectfully,

Dawn M. Lane

Department of Nursing

Central Oregon Community College

Bend, Oregon

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Rene QuintanaSent: Friday, February 10, 2006 10:49 AM Subject: RE: [ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

, its good to hear from you and I agree information available does state that it is not a contagion. But there is something happening with the dynamic of this disease. We do have an epidemic on our hands. Representatives in California are attempting to ignore this common disease among Hispanic men. I

am not sure if its fear or just plain stupidity. I have some preliminary information that can help our research. I need your direct e-mail. You also need to get a hold of Dr. Twelker, PHD MD who confirms my research. , the disease is so common that is viewed as the norm among Hispanic men. They are not

concerning themselves with it. The disease is far more aggressive than what is stated in medical documents, painful and I am seeing facial paralysis. Whether or not this disease has genetically transformed into a contagion is unknown and cannot be ruled out. However, for medical representatives to ignore this epidemic

is unacceptable, it is not going to go away but become worse. We have an epidemic on our hands and it is plain as day. In my research 70% of Hispanic men

are developing some stage of this disease.

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

ALMA

Del Norte

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of Arcury - Family MedicineSent: Friday, February 10, 2006 10:01 AM Subject: RE: [ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Pterygium is not an infectious disease, so there cannot be an "outbreak." However, pterygium is a highly prevalent condition among farmworkers. This past summer (2005) we examined the eyes (using telemedicine techniques) of 296 farmworkers in eastern North Carolina. Ptergyia were present in one or both eyes of 69 individuals (23.3%). We are currently writeing the paper describing these results, and hope to have it submitted for peer-review in the next month.

A. Arcury, PhD

Professor and Research Director

Department of Family and Community Medicine

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084

phone: 336-716-9438

fax: 336-716-3206

e-mail: tarcury@...

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Rene QuintanaSent: Friday, February 10, 2006 11:41 AM Subject: RE: [ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Ruby,

There is a serious outbreak of the disease pterygium among Hispanic men. It is a serious eye disease and I need to get

the word out to collaborator organizations. Contact me at (707) 464-7441 ext 292.

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

ALMA

Del Norte

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of Ruby MarentesSent: Friday, February 10, 2006 8:12 AM Subject: [ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

-----Original Message-----From: Rebeca L. Ramos [mailto:rebeca@...] Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 7:29 AM Cc: Colon-Cartagena, A.Subject: Promotoras

These articles are either available or will soon be available (two in the

process of being published)

Ramos RL, and Ferreira-Pinto JB, (2005) A Transcultural Approach to Peer

Case Management: a case control study of cost effectiveness. Submitted for

publication, being edited.

Ramos RL, et al (2005) Promovision: Designing a Promotores Capacity-Building

Program. Health Promotion Practice (scheduled for publication) Journal of

the Society for Public Health Education

Ramos R.L. Et al (2002) A Tested Model for Organizational and Community

Capacity-Building in AIDS Prevention Programs AIDS Education and Prevention

May 14(3) 196-205

The USMBHA has all the training manual that were used in the above mentioned

tested model for capacity building, the target audience are Promotoras. In

addition with CDC funding we are now expanding our capacity building model

from an individual and organizational one to a more structural approach,

working with groups of Promotoras. Please let me know how else I can be of

service.

Saludos,

Rebeca

______________________

Rebeca L. Ramos, MS, MPH

Technical Director

US Mexico Border Health Association

E-mail: rebeca@...

Ruby A. Marentes

US-Mexico Border Health Association

PROMOVISION (Focus Area 3)

5400 Suncrest Dr. Ste. C-5

El Paso, TX 79912

Tel. (915) 833-6450 ext. 27

Fax (915) 833-7840

February 15, 2006

Thank

you Tori,

Its good to see the information on pterygium out on

the floor of discussion. My main

concern at this time is the reluctance of California farm worker organizations to

acknowledge the seriousness of this epidemic. It is a significant sign of our failure in California in not

addressing the needs of this population.

I cannot believe that with an epidemic of this magnitude that no one has

made a significant impact on the education and the prevention of this disease. Now we have thousands of Hispanic men

with this disease in California. I

have never ever herd of any education programs on the prevention of pterygium.

Nothing. What is wrong with this

picture. Its very disturbing and I’m

trying to reason why such a thing has occurred. We have several organizations in the state of California

that receive millions

of dollars in farm worker supportive, outreach and educational

services and they have done nothing to prevent this disease. There are no commercials, radio,

media outreach, flyers and health programs on

pterygium in the state of California.

Its like the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s when no one wanted to

acknowledge

the outbreak of this disease. How do we now effectively get the

information out to this population, what options are there? Are there any federal or state agencies

that read this e-mail that can assist?

Sincerely,

Rene Quintana

Adelante

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Tori Booker

Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006

10:42 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

Hello

Everyone,

In response

to the concerns about pterygium and informing farmworkers and others about it,

I'd like to point out 2 resources for working with farmworkers to improve their

eye health and safety:

The

Farmworker Eye Care Network is a venue for networking and communicating key

information on eye care and eye injury prevention. http://www.fenet.org/

Migrant

Health Promotion developed an Eye Health Training Kit for Camp Health

Aides/Promotores(as) and Farmworkers. The kit was developed in

collaboration with NIOSH, the University

of Illinois at Chicago, Great Lakes Center for Occupational and Environmental

Safety and Health, and Community Health Partnership. It includes a

bilingual chapter on eye health, Teaching Notes for teaching the content of the

chapter, and additional health education outlines and activities. You may

view and download it at www.migranthealth.org

Tori Booker

Associate Director

Migrant Health Promotion

tbooker@...

-----Original

Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of Dawn M. Lane

Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006

2:19 AM

To:

Subject: RE:

[ ] Response on behalf of Rebeca Ramos

I have been following the

pterygium discussion with interest. It is my understanding that pterygium is

not infectious, but is caused by frequent exposure of the eyes to UV rays

(sunlight). I believe that the working conditions endured by so many Hispanic

farm workers, may be the biggest contributing factor to increased rates of

pterygium. Since Hispanic male farm workers out number females it makes sense

that they more often present with the condition. High quality sunglasses, that

block UV rays, is one preventive measure for people who must work outside,

along with a broad brimmed hat or hats with a bill that provide shade for the

face. I don’t know if there is an education program in place that speaks to the

need for eye protection from UV rays during all outside activities. It would be

very important to have one. Not only does exposure of the eyes to UV rays

increase risk for pterygium but it increases the risk for developing cataracts

in later years (not to mention skin cancer). Both of these diseases may affect

sight or cause blindness if left untreated.