News (Noticias) Tagged ‘obesity’

New Website Features a Health Blog to answer Diabetes related questions by Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants or Doctors.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Total health care and related costs for the treatment of diabetes run about $132 billion annually. It is estimated that about 2.5 million or 9.5 percent of Latinos aged 20 years or older have been diagnosed with diabetes . The disease has become a growing epidemic for Latinos, but recent studies show that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented. To spread the good news, the Latino Diabetes Association (LDA) launched its new website LDA.org. This new site is designed to help Latinos, at-risk of developing type 2 diabetes, take the small steps necessary to ward off this devastating disease.

The new website features a Health Blog, where people could ask diabetes related questions and have them answered by an LDA registered nurse, physician assistant or doctor. “The intent is to provide people with access to diabetes related information to help them prevent or delay the disease” said Heberto M. Sanchez, Founder and CEO.

The LDA web site provides a friendly and easy-to-use online environment to learn about diabetes. In the coming months, additional pages will be added to provide more educational health information and enhance visitors’ online experience.

About the Latino Diabetes Association
The Latino Diabetes Association is a non-profit organization focusing on improving the health and well-being of people who have developed, or are at risk of developing diabetes. Our mission is to advocate, develop and disseminate accurate, culturally relevant information about diabetes, nutrition, exercise, and obesity prevention with emphasis in the Latino and other high-risk communities.

For more information, call 323-837-9869 or visit the LDA website at LDA.org“

Hispanic children who eat at the homes of friends or relatives are more likely to gain weight, according to a study by San Diego State University. The report, recently published in the research journal “Obesity,” is part of a larger study (The San Diego Grocery Store Project) to prevent excess weight gain in children by partnering with restaurants, schools and grocery stores.”*

Hispanic families now have
a trusted online source in child and adolescent mental health accessible in
Spanish at AboutOurKids.org. The NYU Child Study Center (CSC) has
translated its Web site into Spanish to help this underserved community
find important information about children’s psychiatric and learning
disorders.

“Only one in seven Hispanic children who are affected by psychiatric
and learning disorders get the help they need,” said Harold S. Koplewicz,
M.D., founder and director of the NYU CSC. “We’re committed to bringing the
latest and best information on children’s mental health to all in the
Hispanic community.”

HERE ARE THE FACTS*:

–  Hispanic adolescents have the highest number of suicide attempts among
all ethnic groups in the U.S.
–  Hispanic high school students exhibited the highest rate of sadness or
hopelessness according to one study assessing risk behavior in high
school students.
–  Hispanic youth have higher levels of emotional distress because of the
pressures to rapidly adopt the values of their new culture.
–  Hispanic teens evidence high rates of substance abuse and increasing
rates of juvenile justice involvement.
–  Few Spanish-speaking or Latino mental health professionals exist.
“This is a community that we can help by providing accurate and timely
information in a user-friendly format that can be easily understood by
parents,” said Raul R. Silva, M.D., vice-chair of the NYU Child Study
Center and associate professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
“Concerned that your child is anxious or depressed? Worried that your child
is abnormally thin? Things not going well at school? Where can you find
help? It’s all there at AboutOurKids.org en Espanol.”

The new site offers visitors translated articles and tips from renowned
CSC experts on a variety of relevant issues ranging from suicide and
depression to discipline and obesity. Helpful features such as the “A-Z
Disorder Guide” and links to other web sites and essential resources allow
Spanish-speaking visitors to quickly locate important information with the
click of a mouse.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

New York University Child Study Center is the nation’s leading
organization for research, prevention and treatment of child and adolescent
psychiatric and learning disorders. Through science-based clinical care,
cutting-edge research, expert professional training, and extensive public
education, the Center strives to generate new knowledge about child mental
health, improve the practices of healthcare professionals who serve
children, and influence child-related public health policy. Most
importantly, the Center provides hope, help and care to children and their
families who suffer from these disorders.

The NYU Child Study Center is committed to giving children back their
childhood. To learn more, visit AboutOurKids.org.

*All statistics sourced from The American Psychiatric Association

“*

Jóvenes SANOS, a Watsonville teen group that tackles obesity issues among area youth, took to the streets Wednesday afternoon to ask community members if they would support efforts to limit the number of fast-food restaurants in town.

The survey effort took two weeks, with the four teens in the group’s city planning team conducting 100 surveys, a job they completed Wednesday.”*

Selecciones, the world’s best-selling Spanish-language magazine, joins the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red For Women and Macy’s, one of the nation’s largest retailers, in a multi-platform awareness program, Go Red de Corazón, to alert Hispanic women to the threat of heart disease. Together, they will honor Silvia Gallegos, a heart-health advocate who is making a difference and working to improve heart health in her community, on June 19 in Miami, with Lili Estefan, host of Univision’s popular show, “El Gordo y la Flaca.”

Research shows that only 29 percent of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their No. 1 killer in the United States. “That’s why the program hopes to educate Hispanic women about heart disease and empower them to take action to reduce their personal risk, said Go Red For Women national spokesperson Ileana L. Piña, MD, Professor of Medicine,/Cardiology/Heart Failure-Transplantation and Veterans Administration Quality Scholar at Case Western Reserve. “In our world, we take care of everyone else because our families are the focal point. But we have to begin to care for ourselves, so we can be there for the ones we love.”

The heart-health advocate honoree, Gallegos, helps send that message to Latina women in her community. She is manager of the community health department at the Dallas Concilio of Hispanic Service Organizations. She has worked tirelessly in the Hispanic community in Dallas for more than 25 years on health issues, and now focuses on educating parents about heart health, the correlation between childhood obesity and the development of type-2 diabetes in children, and how to prevent and control both. Her grassroots health program includes exercise groups; screenings for glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, waist circumference and Body Mass Index (BMI); and classes on healthy living. Thanks to her dedicated efforts to promote the benefits of regular activity, a key component of heart health, more than 500 participants walk together each week in more than 25 groups in the Dallas area.

Additional program elements of Go Red de Corazón include:

* Radio media tour with Selecciones editor Genevieve Marlin-Fernandez and Go Red For Women spokesperson Dr. Ileana Piña

* An awards celebration with Hispanic influencers, including Lili Estefan, María Antioneta Collins, Neida Sandoval, and Teresa Rodríguez on June 19 in Miami to honor a heart-health advocate

* Specially created t-shirts sharing the Go Red message in Spanish to support the Go Red For Women movement - available at www.shopgored.com

Go Red de Corazón kicked off in the February issue of Selecciones with a Heart Health Guide insert from AHA, sponsored by Macy’s, that featured information about risk factors for heart disease and prevention tips. Additionally, Selecciones and AHA participated jointly at Hispanic health fairs, where they distributed heart-health guides.

“It was a natural for Selecciones to partner with the American Heart Association and Macy’s on Go Red de Corazón,” said Genevieve Marlin-Fernández, editor, Selecciones, whose own father died of a massive heart attack when she was 19 years old. “Each and every month Selecciones provides need-to-know content related to health and well-being. Educating Latinas about heart disease should be a priority for the entire Hispanic community. I am proud that, through this partnership, we are doing just that.”

As part of Go Red de Corazón, Selecciones’ readers had the opportunity to submit “heart-warming” stories about their mothers or other women influencers who made a significant difference in their lives. Five winners of this essay contest will be invited to attend the Go Red de Corazón reception.

Celebrating Macy’s fifth year as the national sponsor of the Go Red For Women movement, Peter Sachse, president of Macy’s corporate marketing says, “We are as passionate about this cause today as we were when the movement launched. Together, we have made substantial strides in raising awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of American women. As we continue to elevate the awareness among all women and men, we have developed this unique program that targets education and supports populations where the message has not been heard. Raising the profile of women’s heart health is a profound commitment for our company, and we build our support each year in both dollars and visibility for the cause.”

Go Red de Corazón hopes to reach millions of Latinas with the message to take charge of their heart health. Information about risk factors for heart disease, prevention tips, a heart-health guide created just for Latinas and free recipes can be found at www.goredcorazon.org or by calling 1-888-AHA-1212.”*

The Hispanic Latino Minority Health Coalition’s executive director, Cecilia Acosta, was recently featured in Indianapolis Woman for her move to help start an obesity prevention program in her coalition, and has also made a change in her own life and diet because of the program she implemented.

The Coalition, which works to assess, design, develop, implement and evaluate programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for each minority group represented, asked Acosta to come up with the obesity prevention program, and in doing so, she lost 30 pounds because she learned how to change her diet and was able to implement exercise to her daily routine.

“We have to be the examples,” said Acosta. “I decided to start with my self. I was able to organize myself, and that helped me to improve other areas in my life.”

For more information about the Hispanic Latino Minority Health Coalition of Greater Indianapolis, go to www.hlmhc.org.

About the Hispanic Latino Minority Health Coalition of Greater Indianapolis:
The HLMHC of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. is an institution created to diminish health-disparities faced by the Hispanic/Latino and Black community, through education, advocacy and leadership. The way that this program is designed will allow the coalition focus all it efforts to prevent diseases such as heart diseases, stroke, cancer (breast and prostate) and diabetes. The ultimate goal of the programs provided is to reduce health disparities experienced by racial and ethnic minorities by increasing access to needed healthcare and improving health literacy.”*

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hispanics are the largest minority within the culinary workforce with more than half — 54 percent — working as cooks and food preparers. Yet, less than 20 percent hold executive chef positions. To help support and develop new talent in the professional culinary sector, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC — worldwide marketer of SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners — today announced the opening of a call for entries for the fourth annual Chef Splendido Contest, a national search dedicated to showcasing aspiring Hispanic and bi-lingual (English/Spanish speaking) culinary talent.

The Chef Splendido contest recognizes up and coming Hispanic and
bi-lingual (English/Spanish speaking) talent with a passion for healthy, Latino cuisine. In addition, the contest yields reduced calorie alternatives with less sugar to traditional Latino dishes that do not sacrifice taste, especially given the high Hispanic incidence of obesity and diabetes. A new partnership with The Spanish Speaking Chef’s Association of America, an organization whose goal is to support young Latinos interested in pursing careers in culinary arts, will broaden the talent search and encourage current and recent culinary graduates to participate in the contest.

“The Hispanic community is key to the make-up of the culinary workforce, yet the majority of roles fall within the service-oriented sector due to barriers - such as language and education,” said Chef Rafael Palomino, Executive Chef and founder of The Spanish Speaking Chef’s Association of America. “With the large number of Hispanic talent in the industry, it is important to encourage and support aspiring chefs to participate in programs like Chef Splendido that help them further their careers while learning how to create reduced calorie options with less sugar for traditional Latino cuisine.”

To enter, participants create a Latino-inspired dessert using SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners and compete for an opportunity to win $5,000 in cash. In addition, the winner receives a mentorship opportunity with a nationally recognized Hispanic chef associated with the Spanish-Speaking Chefs Association. Contest rules, regulations and deadlines available at www.SplendaEnEspanol.com . “*

Fundacion Azteca America, the non-profit arm of Spanish-language television network Azteca America, announced today the launch of a nationwide health awareness campaign in collaboration with the Ad Council. The campaign includes informational brochures on prevention and treatment for the most prevalent diseases among Hispanics, using information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and asthma are on the rise, as well as being some of the leading causes of death in the Latino community. The goal is to inform about the causes of these diseases and their treatment, with the aim of early detection and prevention. The brochures will be distributed through Azteca America’s local affiliate stations as well as through other prominent Hispanic non-profit organizations.”*

New research shows “alarming levels” of obesity in most ethnic groups in the United States, principal investigator Dr. Gregory L. Burke, of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina told Reuters Health. The study also confirms the potentially deadly toll obesity exacts on the heart and blood vessels.

“The obesity epidemic has the potential to reduce further gains in U.S. life expectancy, largely through an effect on cardiovascular disease mortality (death),” Burke and colleagues warn in the latest issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Among 6,814 middle-age or older adults participating in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, or “MESA” study, researchers found that more than two thirds of white, African American and Hispanic participants were overweight and one third to one half were obese.”*

Celebra La Vida Con Salud, the largest national Hispanic health education campaign, today kicked-off its 2008 Hispanic Health Festival Tour in Chicago providing local Hispanics with culturally relevant health information on major illnesses disproportionately impacting Hispanics as well as thousands of free medical screenings. It is the seventh consecutive year the Celebra health festival will tour major Hispanic markets around the country. The Celebra campaign provides information to Hispanics nationwide about health promotion and illness prevention and connects them to national and local resources available to assist Hispanics in getting proper healthcare.

As the largest and fastest growing minority group in the country, Hispanics represent approximately 14% of the current U.S. population, yet they suffer disproportionately high rates of preventable illnesses and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, stroke and some cancers — including breast, prostate and cervical cancer.

– Heart disease is the number one killer of Hispanic men and women.
– Hispanics represent approximately 18% of new AIDS diagnoses and the rate of HIV is 3 times higher for Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites. Hispanic women have 5 times the AIDS rate as do white non-Hispanic women.
– Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women.
– The death rate from cervical cancer is 50% higher among Hispanic women than among non-Hispanic white women.
– By age 3, 26% of Hispanics are obese.

“It is imperative that we break down the barriers, culturally, financially and educationally, that impede Hispanics from receiving the proper health education and preventive care that could significantly reduce the disproportionate rates of illness facing Hispanics,” said Carmen Ramos-Watson, Executive Director of Celebra La Vida Con Salud. “Through the Celebra festivals we not only provide much-needed medical screenings, we build awareness and understanding about relevant health issues greatly impacting this population, share with Latinos what they can do to prevent these illnesses for themselves and their families and connect them with local resources for quality care.”

Celebra La Vida Con Salud is a comprehensive national health education and awareness campaign the effectively reaches the underserved U.S. Hispanic population through its on-the-ground health festival tour, on-air radio and television health education component, on-line information campaign and on-going community outreach efforts. Private, public sector, media and community-based partners and sponsors join together in the execution of the Celebra festival.

During its 2008 festival tour Celebra will expand the work it began last year educating Latinos about the causes, treatment and prevention of the human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Sponsored by Merck & Co., Inc., Celebra will present an interactive, culturally relevant educational exhibit that includes a Cantahistoria mural, interactive Loteria game, personal testimony of cervical cancer survivors and local clinic resources. Surveys conducted during last year’s tour indicate a 30 percent or better increase in knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer among festival attendees who participated in the exhibit. After participating in the education exhibit, sixty-eight percent (68%) followed up with a visit to the doctor.

Among other exhibits, the Celebra Chicago festival will also feature demonstrations on breast cancer prevention, food and nutrition and food safety, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Health. “We are excited to join with Celebra to reach Chicago area Hispanics with these important health messages in such an interactive, engaging and culturally sensitive way,” said Doris Turner, Chief of the Center of Minority Health Services

Other partners of the Celebra campaign and festival tour include the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, American Red Cross, Nike, and CardioChek.

“Given the high incidence of heart disease and diabetes in the Hispanic community, we’re excited to join the Celebra festivals once again, to empower Hispanics with tools like CardioChek that can help them monitor and control their health risks, says Robert Huffstodt, President of PTS Inc., maker of the portable blood test system CardioChek

Local health care partners include Mount Sinai Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, Alivio Medical Center and the Circle Family Care Network.

The Celebra festival in Chicago is being conducted in partnership with the Telemundo Cinco de Mayo festival.

The Celebra La Vida Con Salud festival tour will continue to Atlanta, San Antonio, New York, and Boston through July. In the fall the Celebra will tour San Diego, San Jose, Los Angeles, Houston and Miami.

For more information about the Celebra campaign and sponsorship opportunities, visit

This new show is entertaining, motivating, enriching and brings awareness about better living choices for the Latino Community. “The Mabel Katz Show” promises to be a very unique and one of a kind Spanish show. There are elements of Oprah, Suze Orman, The Apprentice and Rachael Ray combined in the show.

The set brings you into their home, a huge mansion, with a kitchen fit for a King. They do remotes from Plaza Mexico located in Lynwood, California and its design follows the basic principles of the ancient city of Monte Alban. Some cooking segments take you to the best restaurants in Plaza Mexico, as well as in their elaborate home kitchen; including nutritionists, sponsors representatives and world famous Chefs. Mabel devotes a portion of this segment to teaching children and adults alike about healthy eating habits and healthier lifestyles.

This show will approach issues such as diseases that put Latino adults and children at a higher risk. A few examples are obesity, diabetes, heart disease, children’s diseases, stroke prevention and hypertension, just to name of few. Our expert guest panel will include, doctors, researchers, health care providers, public officials, fitness experts and organizations supporting Latino issues.

Every day “The Mabel Katz Show” features professional guests who inform and provide helpful resources to the Latino community — such as how to obtain credit, buy a first home, start or build a business, find their dream job, and much more.

Mabel will inspire you with this special segment where she uses basic principles to delete the negative programs that stand in the way of true happiness and success. Mabel shares this simple formula for personal and financial success in what she calls, The Easiest Way to Prosperity. With Mabel’s inspirational approach, she gives you the tools you need to change your life; actually creating lasting results. Her approach gets to your core, your soul, and many have said that she has changed their lives forever. With the current talk of recession, this program will help Latinos overcome the negative outlook about the economy and learn basic positive skills to help them still succeed.

The celebrity guest line-up includes some of the biggest stars of today. Mabel’s last show “Despertar” was filled with many famous celebrities who always made the shows more exciting and now teaming up with Guillermo Huesca they are sure to bring you a spectacular array of talent.

The Mabel Katz show will also provide a reality make-over segment with a complete transformation to someone randomly picked from the audience. Mabel remakes their appearances, relationships, businesses and careers. Their transformation adds another interesting twist to the show

The Prize Wheel is spun in the Plaza Mexico, with the one and only King of game shows, Guillermo Huesca. The prize giveaways will include, weddings, quinceañeras, air travel and cars!”*

Doctors from coast to coast meet here April 17-20 to tackle health issues that disproportionately affect Latinos - including hypertension, stroke, depression, cancer and obesity - during the 12th annual conference of the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA).

NHMA is teaming with U.S. and state governments for its conference - “Health Care Reform & Health Disparities: A Priority for Hispanic Communities.”

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) and NHMA will release the findings of three “Health Disparities and Hispanics Leadership Summits” at a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 18, in the Dupont Room at the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

“Doctors from all over - New York, Texas, the Midwest, California and everywhere in between - will learn about groundbreaking research and the success stories of their peers,” said Dr. Elena Rios, president of NHMA, a nonprofit group based in Washington, DC, that represents Hispanic physicians in the U.S.

A highlight of the conference will be a “Health Care Reform and Health Disparities Presidential Forum” at 2 p.m. April 18 in which representatives of Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Barack Obama (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ) will attend.

The event begins with a breakfast symposium by Dr. Carlos Herrera, the medical director of Heights Doctor’s Clinic in Houston, on hypertension, stroke and high blood pressure at 7:30 a.m. April 18.

The conference includes research findings on diabetes, HIV/AIDS, mental health and women’s health. Other highlights include:

– At 9 a.m. April 18 there will be a plenary on “Federal Leadership & Hispanics” with Josefina Carbonell, assistant secretary, Administration on Aging, HHS; Kerry Weems, acting administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Dr. Carolyn Clancy, director, Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, HHS.

– At 2:10 p.m. April 19, research on “Obesity and Hispanics” will be unveiled by the National Latino Children’s Institute in San Antonio.

Other invited speakers include Dr. Garth N. Graham, deputy assistant secretary for minority health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and Dr. Ciro Sumaya, dean of the School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center.
“*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

In light of the growing problem of childhood obesity among U.S. Hispanic teens, the Weight-control Information Network (WIN) has developed a new brochure — ¡Hazte Cargo de tu Salud! — to help inform Hispanic teens and their families about the importance of eating healthy and incorporating physical activity into their daily lives.

A recent report by the Trust for America’s Health — F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America — revealed that the rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled from 1980 to 2004, and Hispanic teens top the charts for being overweight among high school students in the United States.

“WIN’s goal is to provide Hispanic teens and their families with current and research-based information that will not only help them make better decisions about what they eat but will also encourage them to get active,” said Leslie Curtis, M.A., Director of WIN. “It is an important step that may help improve health among Spanish-speaking teens and their families.”

¡Hazte Cargo de tu Salud! provides information about healthy eating and physical activity. The Spanish-language brochure offers practical tools that teens can use in their everyday life, from reading food labels and selecting how much and what foods to eat, to replacing TV time with physical activity.

To promote the brochure, WIN is reaching out to local and national organizations that serve Spanish-speaking communities to ask them to raise awareness about this valuable resource.

¡Hazte Cargo de tu Salud! is available free of charge by calling 1-877-946-4627 (toll-free) or by visiting win@info.niddk.nih.gov. Additional quantities of the booklet are also available upon request.

The Weight-control Information Network (WIN) is a national information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK conducts and supports research in diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutrition, and obesity; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. Spanning the full spectrum of medicine and afflicting people of all ages and ethnic groups, these diseases encompass some of the most common, severe, and disabling conditions affecting Americans. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Two research grants to encourage nursing research relevant to the Hispanic population were awarded by the Center for Hispanic Studies in Nursing and Health. The center is part of the UT Arlington School of Nursing, and the $1,000 awards were given to two women affiliated with the nursing school.

Cheryl Anderson, an associate professor of nursing at the school, proposed a study to better understand the psychological impact giving birth among Hispanic teens. Marygrace Leveille, a doctoral candidate in nursing at the school, proposed studying lipid levels, obesity and coronary plaque accumulation in pre-menopausal Hispanic women in order to better prevent coronary heart disease, which will kill one out of four women.”*

*From: http://www.fwbusinesspress.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Spanish-language television is bombarding children with so many fast-food commercials that it may be fueling the rising obesity epidemic among Latino youth, according to research led by pediatricians from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Latino children, who make up one-fifth of the U.S. child population, also have the highest obesity and overweight rates of all ethnic groups.

A report on the study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, was released online ahead of print in the Journal of Pediatrics.

“While we cannot blame overweight and obesity solely on TV commercials, there is solid evidence that children exposed to such messages tend to have unhealthy diets and to be overweight,” says study lead investigator Darcy Thompson, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatrician at Hopkins Children’s.

Past research among English-speaking children has shown that TV ads influence food preferences, particularly among the more impressionable young viewers.

Researchers reviewed 60 hours of programming airing between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., heavy viewing hours for school-age children, on Univision and Telemundo, the two largest Spanish-language channels in the United States, reaching 99 percent and 93 percent of U.S. Latino households, respectively. Univision content was recorded from its national network cable in Seattle, and Telemundo content was recorded on a local carrier in Tucson, Ariz.

Tallying two or three food commercials each hour, the investigators said one-third specifically targeted children. Nearly half of all food commercials featured fast food, and more than half of all drink commercials promoted soda and drinks with high sugar content.

To counter the effects of food commercials, the researchers suggest, young children should be restricted to two hours a day or less of TV viewing and parents should talk to them about healthy diet and food choices. Children younger than 2 should not be allowed to watch any TV, pediatricians advise.

Other recommendations:

* Pediatricians caring for Latino children should be aware of their patients’ heavy exposure to food ads and the possible effects.

* Public health officials should urge policy makers to limit food advertising to children, something many European countries are already doing.

###

Co-investigators in the study: Glen Flores, M.D., of the University of Texas; and Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc., M.P.H., and Dimitri Christakis, M.D., M.P.H., University of Washington, Seattle.”*

*From: http://www.eurekalert.org
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

U.S. Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz has secured federal funding to support further expansion of a successful major initiative at The University of Texas School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus. This initiative targets diabetes and other deadly, disabling and costly health conditions in the Mexican-American population.

The $390,000 federal appropriation will support the university’s Hispanic Health Research Center and its Cameron County Hispanic Health Cohort of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

“These vital funds will allow us to continue this important program dedicated to obtaining accurate information on the health status of people in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, particularly with regard to obesity, diabetes and mental health. It allows us to measure the impact accurately and to gain support for development and implementation of effective community-wide interventions,” said Joseph B. McCormick, M.D., regional dean and James H. Steele Professor at the UT School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus.

Ortiz, D-Texas, said, “Texas border communities—particularly among the Mexican-American populations— must work harder to educate themselves on healthy living. Diseases such as obesity and diabetes are reaching crisis levels along the border. The UT School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus is doing extraordinary research on many of these matters and providing insight and solutions to some of these challenges.”

Five years ago, McCormick established the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort with previous federal appropriations, as well as funding from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. It is the only cohort in the United States studying health disparities in a purely Mexican-American population.

Almost 2,000 individuals have been enrolled in the cohort. The results are now helping McCormick and other researchers to uncover the high levels of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, mental health conditions and other diseases that greatly affect this Hispanic population. This work has also developed and evaluated effective interventions for children and adults.

“It is difficult to overstate the urgency of addressing effective measures to prevent diabetes in our minority population. This is in the interests of improving health in the community,” McCormick said. “We have calculated that the combination of diabetes and obesity in the Lower Rio Grande Valley costs about $1.2 billion each year. It is in the best economic and social interest that a vigorous and evidence-based program of intervention be instituted as soon as possible.”

The cohort has benefited from previous support from federal funding with the help of Congressman Ortiz, and has provided key information helping to obtain funding from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

Data collected thus far from the cohort has revealed alarming results, McCormick said. More than half of the individuals older than age 18 are classified as obese, with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of more than 30. Another 32 percent are overweight. Twenty percent of the residents have diabetes, which is associated with abnormally high levels of sugar in blood and can lead to such complications as eye, kidney, nerve and heart damage. The chronic condition may also impact mental health. At least half of the cohort participants who have diabetes are not on adequate treatment. Another 23 percent of participants in the cohort have pre-diabetes, a risk factor that is marked by a higher-than-normal blood glucose range that has not yet been classified as diabetes.

“Slowing the rate of increase in type 2 diabetes nationally is one of the most urgent health problems we face, and among the worst affected populations are the Mexican Americans along the U.S./Mexico border,” McCormick added. “Through the use of the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, and with the support of Congressman Ortiz and others, we will be able to continue our studies especially those aimed at intense intervention, all backed by solid science.””*

*From: http://www.webwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Gigi Fernandez will trade in her tennis racket for a pair of orange shoelaces on Sunday, January 27 as she partners with global financial services leader ING and the company’s Run for Something Better program during the 2008 ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.

Fernandez, who is Puerto Rico’s first female professional athlete, is no stranger to running and physical fitness. During her celebrated career, the tennis legend won two Olympic Gold Medals and seventeen women’s Grand Slam doubles titles. By joining forces with ING in Miami, she hopes to encourage more Miami area youth to fight childhood obesity and get active as part of the national ING Run for Something Better program.

“Although I’ve retired from professional tennis, I’m a firm believer in leading a healthy lifestyle and staying in shape,” said Fernandez. “By being part of the ING Run for Something Better program in Miami, I hope to inspire thousands of children in South Florida to embrace physical activity and work towards setting their own personal fitness goals.”

The ING Run for Something Better program advocates a healthy and active lifestyle in the fight against childhood obesity. Since 2003, the youth running program has successfully engaged thousands of children, parents and teachers in cities across the country where ING sponsors long-distance running events. In Miami, the successful program is organized by ING’s race partner, PR Racing and the Fit Miami Foundation.

“We’re delighted that Gigi has chosen to support the ING Run for Something Better program during this year’s marathon. Her involvement in Miami will help spread our positive message about youth running and fitness,” said Toby Hoden, chief marketing officer for ING. “This partnership represents another step in ING’s ongoing commitment to ensure our children are getting a start towards leading a healthy life.”

In the U.S., childhood obesity has become a serious health epidemic. The problem is even greater within the Hispanic community - where children are twice as likely to be overweight. Educating kids about the importance of living an active life is the cornerstone of the ING Run for Something Better program.

In Miami, Fernandez will be wearing a pair of ING’s signature orange shoelaces, which are given to kids’ fitness supporters who make a charitable contribution to the ING Run for Something Better program. ING’s orange laces are available at www.orangelaces.com/miami.

On marathon race day, she will also join more than 2,500 Miami-Dade County middle school students expected to participate in the ING Run for Something Better “Final Mile” run. This event takes place at 11:00 a.m. on the official marathon race course in Downtown Miami.

Kids participating in ING Run for Something Better-funded programs have run enough miles to reach the moon — about 238,000 miles. ING has donated more than $1,000,000 to youth running initiatives across the country and is committed to donating a total of $2,000,000 through 2010. Nearly $400,000 in Run for Something Better funds have gone to Miami schools since the program was introduced there in 2006.

About Gigi Fernandez

The former tennis professional won seventeen Grand Slam doubles titles and two Olympic Gold Medals. She reached the singles semi-finals of the 1994 Wimbledon Championships, and the singles quarter-finals twice at the U.S. Open. Fernandez is one of the most successful Puerto Rican born female athletes in history. She was voted Puerto Rican Female Athlete of the Century. Fernandez graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida and us currently pursing an MBA from Rollins Crummer School of Business.”

Three new original series that spotlight the unique world of young Latinos, their dreams, music and issues debut this month on MTV Tr3s (www.mtvtr3s.com/) it was announced today. Beginning January 7th MTV Tr3s viewers will be treated to a new season of the hit series “Quiero Mis Quinces,” get a shot at becoming television programmers in “Music My Guey” and see some of their realities reflected in “Tr3s Docs.”

“The lives of young Latinos are exciting, trend-setting and complex and MTV Tr3s is thrilled to begin the new year with expanded programming options that celebrate and reflect our audience,” said Lily Neumeyer, Vice President of Programming and Production, MTV Tr3s. “Through research and an on-going dialogue, our audience has told us they are seeking programming that highlights what Latinos have in common with each other, the ways Latinos are different from non-Latinos and the nuances and differences between Latino countries of origin. MTV Tr3s has it all.”

Hit Series Returns
MTV Tr3s audience favorite “Quiero Mis Quinces,” is back and better than ever on Mondays at 4:00 PM starting January 7th. The second season of the weekly show that documents the elaborate quinceañera parties that are a coming-out tradition when Latinas turn 15 captures all excitement, nerves, temper tantrums, and more of planning a dream party.

Featured in season two of “Quiero Mis Quinces” are Avelina y Alejandra, twins who make for double excitement, especially when their limo is pulled over by the police on the way to their party; Nicole Luis, a model and actress who has to live up to the perfect expectations her friends and family have of her; Valentina, a theatre student who brings new drama to the art of planning her quinceañera; the ever popular Vittoria who wants a Las Vegas-style party; Ana Gabriela who decides to strut her unknown talents as a super model as part of her celebration; and Irian, a young rocker who decides that black is the perfect color for her quinces.

Beyond the on-air action, MTV Tr3s is inviting young Latinas to share their party plans on the new community site 15.mtvtr3s.com, a social network created for 14-16 year old Latinas looking to connect with others girls just like them. Quinces members can create their own profiles and select party ‘preferences’ by uploading photos or videos of the cakes, venues and outfits they hope to have at their big event. They can also check out who else is planning a quince in their area, and enter forums with other members to share party planning tips. 15.mtvtr3s.com provides members with a range of interactive features to choose from, including voting for the Party of the Week, ‘snagging’ preferred user photos to add to one’s own profile, and commenting within the Quinces community.

15.mtvtr3s.com is one of hundreds of unique online communities MTV Networks has created for young people with shared experiences, including mysupersweet16.com that has 30,000 registered viewers more than 1.1MM visitors, more than 14MM page views and where 45,000 pictures have been uploaded.

Viewers Take Control and Test Their Knowledge
Young Latinos are especially passionate about their music and videos as members of the MTV Tr3s Cooltura panel, a group of 100 young Latinos that advises MTV Tr3s on trends, programming and issues, told the channel. However, it’s not only watching videos that’s important to young Latinos, they said. They want viewer participation experiences that they can use as “social currency,” experiences that allow them to express and share why they love the artists and the music they do, in a highly individualized way. In response to this feedback, MTV Tr3s is giving viewers the power to control what they want to see and hear on the channel through the development of customized video blocks on the new half-hour show “Music My Guey” (Music My Way) which premieres on Tuesday, January 8th at 3:30 PM

“Music My Guey” empowers fans with an opportunity to program a 30-minute block on MTV Tr3s however they see fit. Viewers first log onto playlist.mtvtr3s.com, upload their personal photo and populate a playlist of ten song titles by choosing MTV Tr3s recommended tracks, or by inputting their own choices. Additionally, users can comment on why each track they have selected matters to them. Upon review and approval of the list, MTV Tr3s then develops a half-hour video block based on the selections and features the fan’s picture on-air throughout the entire video block. The playlists selected to appear during the video block will also be spotlighted on the homepage of playlist.mtvtr3s.com.

How much viewers know about their favorite artists and videos will be tested on the new interactive show “Tr3s or False,” which airs weekdays starting January 14th at 6:30 PM.

“Tr3s or False,” will display artist, video, and trivia questions, and gives viewers 30 seconds to answer the questions correctly via their cell phones through SMS technology. Each time a viewer answers a question correctly, they will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes - so the more they play and answer correctly, the better chance they have to win and earn points. Winners will be picked at random to receive prizes like an mp3 player, apparel, movie/ concert tickets, gift certificates and more. At the end of every show, an on-air score board will reveal the top 10 “Tr3s or False,” viewer experts based on the points they earn by answering correctly.

Taking on Issues that Matter
Latino youth are unique not only in their music preferences and rites of passage, but also in the issues they face, according to Cooltura panelists. For example, many young Latinos are obligated to take on the role of cultural and linguistic translators for their families, negotiating everything from mortgage rates to representing the family in court. Obesity together with body image is a particularly difficult issue for young Latinas, they say.

In response to the Cooltura feedback, MTV Tr3s has created “Tr3s Docs,” a documentary destination that showcases the best of MTV News and Docs with a special emphasis on experiences, characters and issues that matter most to young Latinos. Presented by MTV Tr3s VJs Carlos Santos and Karli Henriquez, “Tr3s Docs” will tackle the pressure of shouldering adult responsibilities, being overweight and the universal ups and downs of graduating high school in its premiere season and will encourage viewers to comment about their own stories at mtvthink.com. Documentaries to be featured on “Tr3s Docs” are:

True Life: Supporting My Family on January 19th at 5 PM — Whether caused by a parent’s untimely death, serious illness or abandonment, each year many young people suddenly find themselves responsible for the welfare of their younger siblings. In this episode of True Life, viewers follow two young women who are struggling to support their families. Will they find a way to feed, clothe and house their siblings? Or will their families fall apart?

“True Life: I’m a High School Senior” on January 26th at 5 PM — From prom to final exams, prank day to graduation day, senior year is a study in contrasts. For many young people it’s like a joyride on a bumpy road as serious considerations about life beyond the secure four walls of high school jockey for attention with concerns about finding the absolute best dress for prom. In this episode of True Life, viewers follow three young people living it up during their last semester of high school. Will they be able to smoothly navigate their way to the aisle on graduation day or will they succumb to senioritis and stumble along the way?

“Return To Fat Camp” on February 2nd at 5 PM — For overweight teenagers trying to “fit in” can seem almost impossible—from getting teased at school to participating in sports, many of these kids find it hard just to feel ‘normal’. They dream of losing weight, looking good and becoming popular and at “Fat Camp” that’s exactly what happens even if they don’t lose a pound! Through first person encounters, “Return to Fat Camp explores the lives of five young people who are battling their weight while having the time of their lives and finally fitting in at a weight loss camp.

“Quiero Mis Quinces,” “Music My Guey” “Tr3s or False,” and “Tr3s Docs” join other hit MTV Tr3s programs such as “Mi TRL” hosted by Carlos Santos, “Sucker Free Latino” hosted by L.Boogs and the recently introduced “Karlifornia” hosted by Karli Henriquez. Music programming is at the core of MTV Tr3s and the channel features hitmakers, emerging artists and new sounds that resonate with young U.S. Latinos and celebrate their hybrid identity and culture.

Since launching in September 2006, MTV Tr3s has become the most widely-distributed TV network dedicated to superserving today’s bicultural Latino youth and is currently seen in 6.2 million Hispanic TV households and 31.9 million total TV households. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

-Internationally recognized Mexican singer Alicia Villarreal has teamed up with the Milk Processors Education Program (MilkPEP) to help communicate to Hispanic moms across the country the importance for her and her family of drinking milk to stay healthy, strong and in shape. Studies suggest that the nutrients in 3 glasses of lowfat or fat free milk a day can help promote a healthy weight and the protein, along with exercise, can help build lean muscle mass. As such, Alicia will be showing off her milk mustache with her 3 kids in the upcoming Hispanic ad campaign, which debuts in print magazines nationwide on January 3rd.

This message is vital for Hispanics since according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1/3 of Hispanics in the United States are currently obese. Obesity leads to many health-related problems that Hispanics are already predisposed to such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.(1)

“I have always wanted to be part of the Hispanic milk mustache campaign because it provides me with the opportunity to educate Hispanics about essential health issues such as the importance of drinking 3 glasses of milk everyday. As a woman in show business, and a mother, I feel I can set a good example for all Hispanic moms as well as my own family,” Alicia said.

Think About Your Drink

When trying to achieve a healthy weight most people focus on what’s on their plate, but what’s filling their glass may also be important. Over the past 30 years there has been a significant increase in the consumption of sugary soft drinks while milk consumption has declined. This increased consumption of calorie and sugar filled drinks may be associated with unhealthy weight gain and higher levels of body fat among children and teens.(2)

Many Hispanic moms mistakenly believe that whole milk is of greater nutritional value than fat-free or non-fat milk. But that is not true. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommended switching from whole milk to low-fat or fat-free milk around a child’s second birthday because it will provide the child with the same essential nutrients but with less fat.

“Something that was a surprise to learn was that low-fat and fat free milk have exactly the same nutrients as whole milk. Knowing that, why would anyone trying to stay healthy not drink low-fat or fat free milk?,” asks Alicia.

Momma Knows Best

Parents play an instrumental role in teaching their kids healthy eating habits from an early age. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that moms who regularly drink milk and make it available at family mealtimes ensure that their kids get enough calcium as they enter adolescence, which is a critical time for bone growth and development.(3)

As a mother of 2 young children and a newborn baby, this is particularly important to Alicia. “My children, like many other kids, pay a lot more attention to what I do than what I say. So part of the reason for why I drink milk is to serve as a role model for them and to encourage them to drink their 3 glasses of milk per day. At breakfast they generally eat cereal with milk and fruit. During lunchtime at school, I always encourage my daughter Melanie to drink milk. And at dinner, which is the meal that we share together, I always serve them milk. Sometimes flavored milk…they all like a different flavor!,” explains Alicia.

Success

This internationally recognized Mexican singer was born in Monterrey, Mexico where she began her career as a singer of grupera music. In 1995 she was named the queen of the mariachis during the award show “Premios lo Nuestro.” She released her first solo album in 2003 and has since been awarded a Latin Grammy for her 2004 solo album release Cuando el Corazón se Cruza.

“Success is not so much about how many records you release, but rather about taking care of yourself and your family. It’s not only about looking good but about feeling good, too. Every Hispanic mom can accomplish that by being making nutritious food choices and adopting a healthy lifestyle. What could be better than drinking milk?,” concludes Alicia.

Sobre Milk PEP

The Milk Processor Education Program (Milk PEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation’s milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The Milk PEP Board runs the national Milk Mustache “got milk?” Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the health benefits of milk. For more information, go to www.thinkaboutyourdrink.com. The tagline “got milk?”(R) was created for the California Milk Processor Board by Goodby Silverstein & Partners and is licensed by the national milk processor and dairy producer groups. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

In an effort to combat the rapidly-growing problem of obesity in Mexican children, PepsiCo has created a handheld game that teaches kids about eating properly. The irony is that the American Beverage Association recently pointed the finger at videogames as a leading cause of childhood obesity.

It seems that Mexican children are particularly obsessed with soda, perhaps because 80% of schools lack access to drinking water, and as a result have become increasingly overweight. Obesity rates in kids aged 5 to 11 have risen 40% since 2000.”*

*From: http://blog.wired.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

As the number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. continues to climb, many health insurers are adjusting their Web sites to better reach the Hispanic and Latino populations. And at least one health plan says it provides targeted information on its Spanish-language site, in an effort to focus on health issues more common in this population.

The number of people speaking Spanish at home in the U.S. has increased from 30.5 million in 2004 to 34.0 million in 2006, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. And health insurers are taking note of the increase.

Blue Cross of California (BCC), a WellPoint, Inc. subsidiary, says it offers a portal called Nuestro Bien that provides information designed specifically for Hispanics and Latinos. Information on the site addresses health issues that affect the Latino and Hispanic communities to a greater extent than other groups, including such conditions as diabetes, hypertension and childhood obesity, says Sherry Jansen, individual product innovation director at WellPoint.”*

So did you know this? If you didn’t, perhaps you could send it to someone you know to help spread the knowledge and please tell them about HispanicTips.

View more “Did You Know?” facts in our “Did You Know?” section

Today, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., announced that it is partnering with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), on a Spanish-language pilot project to raise stroke awareness among Latinos in the United States. The pilot will help expand a national education campaign, Ataque cerebral: conozca los síntomas y actúe a tiempo (Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time.), an ongoing effort to educate the Hispanic community about stroke, its signs and the importance of calling 911 immediately to receive treatment, which can dramatically decrease or even prevent long-term disabilities.

“It is critical that all Spanish speakers know what the signs of stroke are and be encouraged to learn the English word for stroke so that if they suspect a stroke is happening, they can call 911 and receive medical treatment immediately. Every minute counts in helping someone who is experiencing a stroke,” said Executive Vice President of NCLR Charles K. Kamasaki.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of adult, long-term disability in the United States. Each year, about 700,000 people have a new or recurrent stroke. Hispanics, in particular, have a higher rate of risk factors that increase the likelihood of stroke. These include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking. Unfortunately, many people do not know the symptoms or what to do when they witness someone having a stroke.

As part of the critical push to raise stroke awareness among local Latino communities, NCLR assisted NINDS with the development of a Spanish-language tool kit and conducted pilot trainings for promotores de salud (lay health educators) working with NCLR Affiliates and other Latino-serving community-based organizations. The tool kit is now being offered for community outreach purposes to NCLR’s network, including the NCLR affiliate community.

“I am excited that I have the opportunity to be a part of this initiative,” said Rina Chavez, a participant from the Houston training. “The information and stroke awareness materials will help many people in my community recognize the signs of stroke and what to do to prevent them.”

The Spanish-language tool kit, a major component of the Know Stroke campaign, can be used by promotores de salud in charlas (health talks) to educate their communities about the signs of stroke. The tool kit is based on nationwide market research and focus groups conducted by NCLR providing valuable insights about Hispanics’ knowledge, awareness, and attitudes related to stroke. This tool kit includes a video with testimonies from people who have successfully recovered from stroke due to their prompt action, and information from a medical expert; a flipchart that complements the information in the video; and brochures that capture key messages for the charlas’ participants to take home and share with others.

“We are pleased to be working with NCLR to expand the reach of this campaign into Hispanic communities across the country by bringing its messages to local leaders and educators who are committed to improving the health and well-being of Hispanics,” said José G. Merino, M.D, member of the NIH stroke team.

If you would like more information about the Know Stroke campaign or other materials on stroke, please contact NINDS at 1-800-352-9424 (Spanish-speaking specialists are available to assist you) or visit www.ninds.nih.gov/stroke. If you are an NCLR affiliate, please identify yourself as such when calling. Also, for a full listing of Spanish-language publications, please visit www.ninds.nih.gov/spanish.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States – works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information, please visit www.nclr.org

The NINDS is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the Department of Health and Human Services and is the nation’s primary supporter of biomedical research on the brain and nervous system. The NINDS mission is to reduce the burden of neurological disease. Go to www.ninds.nih.gov/ for more information.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation’s Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit

UnBuenDoctor® has launched the first Spanish-language website that will focus on the 32.2 million Spanish speakers in the US and allow them to search for doctors and organizations while obtaining the latest information about their health, beauty, nutrition and diverse well-being issues that prevail throughout the Hispanic community. UnBuenDoctor.com is dedicated to making health care information and resources accessible to any and all Hispanics throughout the United States by presenting it in an inviting user-friendly format.

“We realize how important it is to have access to useful information regarding health, nutrition and well-being. Our community is lagging behind when it comes to these services, now with the UnBuenDoctor.com website they have at their disposal, a multitasking tool that will definitely help in mitigating the health information gap in a culturally sensitive environment,” says Founder of UnBuenDoctor.com, Carlos Mauricio Olea. Lack of information and access to resources contribute greatly to the poor quality of health and to the alarmingly high obesity, diabetes, aids, cancer and blood cholesterol levels that exist throughout the Hispanic community. Therefore, the site offers non-profit health organizations the opportunity to publicize their fairs, drives and workshops for free so that their initiatives and programs can have a broader reach to those in need.

Information and knowledge is the key to providing a healthier lifestyle and longevity to the Hispanic community and the objective of UnBuenDoctor.com is to reach the 16 million Hispanics that are presently online and provide them with the knowledge while helping them to establish healthier lifestyles.

“Today there are many health fairs and events throughout the cities across the United States, one predominant issue is that most of us, in the community, do not know about them and we do not know where to find such information. UnBuenDoctor.com invites all organizations to be part of the calendar `Ferias de Salud y Eventos’ (Health Fairs and Events channel) - it is a totally free service. Finally there is a place for the Hispanic community to refer to by selecting a city and finding at a glance, in the calendar, what health fairs and events activities are available, where they will be located and be able to print this information, that even displays a practical map showing where the exact location of each event will be,” Mr. Olea added.

Sifting Through it All

UnBuenDoctor.com offers users the ability to be able to search for doctors, dentists, hospitals and organizations within their own community while specifically tailoring it to their needs. Basic information on the healthcare providers takes out some of the guesswork of choosing a physician. Importantly, UnBuenDoctor.com, will also provide online users with “Seguros de Salud.” This site area which is sponsored by Aetna (NYSE:AET) provides users with an easy to read guide which allows them to better understand the different types of health insurances available, frequently asked questions, questions they should ask their agent and useful information about coverage for health and life insurance issues. This feature is of great value because, according to the Census Bureau, over 30% of US Hispanics remain without health coverage.

Maintenance and Prevention

An essential part of living a long life is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and quite often there is lack of information on how to prevent the diseases that are the most prevalent throughout the Hispanic community, such as, among others, obesity, diabetes, HIV, cancer, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. For the first time the Spanish-speaking community will be able to access hundreds of articles on health, proper nutrition, beauty tips, and the key to a sustainable lifestyle that can keep them feeling and looking healthier and young. Most importantly, it will all be available in Spanish through one portal at UnBuenDoctor.com.

About UnBuenDoctor®

Chicago-based UnBuenDoctor Magazine (www.UnBuenDoctor.com) is the city’s only Hispanic health publication, providing Latinos with information in Spanish about medical issues and helping them link locally to the services and resources they need to get help. UnBuenDoctor.com is the digital Mecca for health resources in the Hispanic community.

UnBuenDoctor(R) is owned and published by CMO, Inc., a company owned by former Impremedia Corporate Manager and former La Raza Newspaper Associate Publisher Carlos Mauricio Olea.

To find out more about UnBuenDoctor.com and the unique fea