Spring Break
Hispanic TV urges health
NORA COBB For The Red & Black
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
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Hispanics who watch telenovelas regularly are more health conscious than those who do not - a fact University researchers are using to battle diabetes.
One popular telenovela recently featured an overweight character who became impotent due to diabetes.
"This plot appealed to the machismo aspect of the Hispanic culture," said Leslie Rodriguez, the University graduate student who suggested the plot. "While Hispanics might not seek medical attention otherwise, when it comes to impotence, they will pay attention."
Rodriguez, a doctoral candidate in the College of Public Health, made the suggestion after her research showed the viewers of "Amarte Asi" and other Spanish language soap operas are concerned about health.
One of the major health concerns for Hispanics is diabetes.
"Adults are especially at risk," said Pamela Orpinas, a professor who works with Rodriguez. She is secretary of the Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia.
Rodriguez wanted to make novelas informational and entertaining. "Too often, Hispanics believe that their health is in God's hands, so they don't take action," said Rodriguez.
Vicki Freimuth, a professor in the department of speech communication, referred Rodriguez to a contact in California working on a project called Hollywood health and society. As the only Spanish speaker in the project, Rodriguez was put in touch with writers at Telemundo, the second-largest Spanish language television network in the U.S.
Forty-three percent of Hispanics watch novelas at least once a week.
Rodriguez's project concentrated on "Amarte Asi," the story of a young boy, Frijolito, born out of wedlock who seeks the impossible love between his mother, Margarita, a mariachi singer, and father, Ignacio, a young doctor. Rodriguez worked with the writers to develop a health message that did not detract from the drama of the novela.
Carolina Acosta-Alzuru, professor of journalism and mass communication specializing in telenovelas, said interwoven messages are especially important for reaching the immigrant population.
One popular telenovela recently featured an overweight character who became impotent due to diabetes.
"This plot appealed to the machismo aspect of the Hispanic culture," said Leslie Rodriguez, the University graduate student who suggested the plot. "While Hispanics might not seek medical attention otherwise, when it comes to impotence, they will pay attention."
Rodriguez, a doctoral candidate in the College of Public Health, made the suggestion after her research showed the viewers of "Amarte Asi" and other Spanish language soap operas are concerned about health.
One of the major health concerns for Hispanics is diabetes.
"Adults are especially at risk," said Pamela Orpinas, a professor who works with Rodriguez. She is secretary of the Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia.
Rodriguez wanted to make novelas informational and entertaining. "Too often, Hispanics believe that their health is in God's hands, so they don't take action," said Rodriguez.
Vicki Freimuth, a professor in the department of speech communication, referred Rodriguez to a contact in California working on a project called Hollywood health and society. As the only Spanish speaker in the project, Rodriguez was put in touch with writers at Telemundo, the second-largest Spanish language television network in the U.S.
Forty-three percent of Hispanics watch novelas at least once a week.
Rodriguez's project concentrated on "Amarte Asi," the story of a young boy, Frijolito, born out of wedlock who seeks the impossible love between his mother, Margarita, a mariachi singer, and father, Ignacio, a young doctor. Rodriguez worked with the writers to develop a health message that did not detract from the drama of the novela.
Carolina Acosta-Alzuru, professor of journalism and mass communication specializing in telenovelas, said interwoven messages are especially important for reaching the immigrant population.
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