Press Releases: National
August 31, 2006
Kaiser Permanente Health Video Targets Latinos
Preventive Approach Tackles Health Disparities
OAKLAND, Calif. – With the start of Latino Heritage Month, Kaiser Permanente has launched a Latino health DVD and reference guide, Escoge la salud - Choose Health, part of Kaiser Permanente’s ongoing effort to improve the quality of care provided to an increasingly diverse community. Featuring Lupe Ontiveros, the well-known actress from Desperate Housewives and Real Women Have Curves, the DVD and its accompanying guidebook are available in Spanish or English. Escoge la salud - Choose Health encourages greater awareness of health risk factors faced by Latinos and encourages consumers to take charge of their health.
The DVD and reference guide are focused on 5 key messages:
- Know your history
- Know your numbers, e.g., blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Eat for life
- Be active
- Talk with your doctor
“The health challenges facing Latinos are skyrocketing rates of obesity and diabetes - nearly twice the rate of whites,” said Frank Meza, MD, Kaiser Permanente, family medicine practitioner. “With this educational effort we can encourage Latinos to make simple, healthy choices that will empower them to take better care of themselves and their families.”
“There needs to be a fundamental retooling of the health care industry to address the needs of an increasingly diverse population, and we want to lead the way in eliminating health disparities,” stated Bernard Tyson, senior vice president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospital Operations. “Escoge la salud - Choose Health is one of many initiatives that Kaiser Permanente is spearheading to promote greater and equal health for people of all colors and backgrounds.”
Kaiser Permanente will partner closely with community based organizations for distribution of the Escoge la salud - Choose Health DVD and reference guide. In addition, the Kaiser Permanente Latino Association, an employee staff organization, will distribute the DVD and reference guide through “house parties” targeted at families and friends.
Kaiser Permanente members will be able to preview a short trailer of the DVD, download portions of the reference guide, and order copies of the tools at www.kp.org/escogelasalud.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
