The Potential Role of Medical Nutrition Therapy in Prevention or as a Treatment for Cardiovascular Disease in the Latinx Community- Practical Strategies and Recommendations based on Personal, Social, and Cultural Factors

Date: February 15
Time: noon - 1 p.m. (Central time)

This course will discuss the cardiovascular risks facing our Latinx community in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. This course will provide scientific evidence-based recommendations to promote healthy dietary patterns and address cultural and socioeconomic barriers to achieving cardiovascular health. Patients/clients should be referred to a registered dietitian nutritionist for more in-depth nutritional assessment and intervention for risk reduction in this population.

CPE Level: 2
CPEU: 1

Performance Indicators:

• 9.3.4 Takes into consideration the cultural needs of audiences and makes appropriate modifications to education materials.
• 9.4.2 Assesses and identifies the current knowledge, skills, and cultural influences of populations.
• 10.2.12 Gathers information that affects intake and nutrition and health status (e.g., cultural, ethnic, religious, lifestyle influencers, psychosocial, and social determinants of health).
• 10.3.6 Develops nutrition prescriptions to communicate clients’/patients’ customized diet and nutrition needs.

Learning Objectives

• Describe Medical Nutrition Therapy interventions as prevention or for improved cardiovascular health outcomes in the Latinx community.
• Analyze the impact of traditional cultural foods on food choices, dietary patterns, and quality of dietary intake and the impact on well-being on cardiovascular health in the Latinx community. 
• Identify strategies to teach and assess cultural sensitivity in nutrition counseling in the Latinx community. 

Speaker

Maria Ines Aguero de Manunta, MS, RD, CDN, CDCDE, CHC

Maria I. Aguero de Manunta is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, NYS Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and Certified Health Coach. She holds a Master of Science and Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. And a AAS degree in Dietetics from SUNY Erie.

Maria has more than ten years of experience providing nutrition counseling and therapy in English and Spanish.

Multiple opportunities have taken her to many different institutions, such as hospitals, Long Term Care facilities, clinics, and not-for-profit healthcare organizations. This exposure allowed her to serve a highly diverse pool of patients, including those afflicted with AIDS and Hepatitis C, the elderly, children, mental health patients, the Hispanic community, and an ethnically diverse population. In addition to her clinical practice, she has participated in numerous public events such as training, media events, panel discussions, public relations, nutrition classes, and group discussions which opened the doors of various organizations and helped her to become more deeply involved with different communities. Maria was a Clinical Instructor and Clinical Director for the University at Buffalo’s Clinical Nutrition Master of Science Program. Prior to this position, she was an adjunct faculty member. In 2021, Maria received the Distinguished Dietitian of the Year from the Western New York Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Currently, she is a Co-Chair for the Western New York Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (WNYAND), a past President-elect, and Professional issues of the WNYAND. She sits on the Western New York Board of Diabetes Educators.