Health Partners Uses Star Power to Rea... ( Princess of Salsa Talks Diabetes ...)

Health Partners Uses Star Power to Reach Members

Date:9/22/2008

Princess of Salsa Talks Diabetes Control at An Intimate Conversation with La India

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a packed auditorium at Julia de Burgos Elementary School last Saturday, September 13, hundreds of Latino Philadelphians gathered for inspiration and a glimpse of a treasured hero. When Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated singer, La India, the Princess of Salsa finally took the stage, the crowd hit the roof, erupting in applause. But this was no concert. The world-renowned vocalist, and her 12-year-old niece who has diabetes, were on a mission to help promote diabetes control.

"Diabetes is affecting so many children and Latinos especially," said La India. "There are diabetics in my family, too. I am here today to tell Health Partners' Latino members that I understand what they are experiencing with diabetes and to encourage them to better manage the disease."

An Intimate Conversation with La India, hosted by Health Partners, a not-for-profit health plan serving 140,000 members in the greater Philadelphia region, was one of many recent testing initiatives geared toward connecting members with the health struggles and triumphs of people they admire most. Recent events have featured Philadelphia music legend, Patti LaBelle; Superstar NFL quarterback, Donovan McNabb: and salsa singer, Frankie Negron.

"It's so easy for the population we serve to get dragged down and feel defeated by disease," says Mary K Stom, MD, senior vice president of healthcare management and chief medical officer, at Health Partners. "But a palpable change takes place when they are able to connect with a celebrity who shares and understands their plight. And the numbers speak for themselves. With a newfound sense of hope, more and more of our members are being tested and adopting healthy lifestyle choices."

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects 23.6 million Americans and is the fifth deadliest diseas
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