The National Eye Institute has launched the Eye on the Future campaign to encourage teens to pursue careers in science, specifically eye health and biomedical research.
The campaign is kicking off with a video contest!
For the video contest, open to teens nationally, high school students can submit 30-second-to-3-minute videos on several science-related categories, such as their favorite scientific discovery or the impact they’d like to make in the science world in 20 years.
Students can record video submissions on their own or team up with a group of friends. Submissions are due April 8, 2022.
“Winners will get cash prizes — to to $2,000 — plus the opportunity to visit the National Institutes of Health for a day,” according to the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health.
The Need for Latinos in STEM Fields
Latinos are often left out of one of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields — science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
In fact, Latinos make up only 8% of those employed in STEM fields.
This could consign Latinos to lower-paying jobs, according to the Pew Research Center.
“Black and Latino workers remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce compared with their share of all workers, including in computing jobs, which have seen considerable growth in recent years,” Pew researchers state.
The Need for Eye Health Research for Latinos
Latinos already have some of the highest rates of visual impairment and blindness, so early detection and action are key.
The National Eye Institute has many resources for maintaining healthy eyes.
For example, check out these seven vital eye health tips for glaucoma, which is more prevalent among Latinos. They also have many resources for kids.
“The ¡Ojo con su visión! initiative can help you spread the word about eye health among Hispanics and Latinos in your community,” according to the NEI website. “You can help prevent vision loss and blindness!”
What Can You Do to Address the Education and Health Inequities in Your Area?
Find out the state of health equity in your area.
Download a Health Equity Report Card from Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio.
With the report card, you can find maps and data visualizations on rates of adults with no high school diploma. There is also data on preschool enrollment, and the rate of high school graduation and dropouts. Other inequities covered are access to healthcare, healthy food, housing, and more.
You can then email your Health Equity Report Card to school and community leaders. You can share it on social, and build the case to address education issues in at-risk areas!
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