A Mediaplanet Guide to Better Health for the Hispanic Community
Hispanic Health Pitbull The international music icon talks about being an advocate and Latino role model
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Learn about the CDC program that’s building a support system for healthy living Get to know your risk for heart disease with some help from Amarin
SEPTEMBER 2021 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM
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How You Can Help Shape the Future of Health Science is advancing at a rapid pace that is changing the most basic ideas about how we take care of ourselves. We know the one-size-fits-all type of healthcare that was the standard of care for decades may actually hurt, rather than help. We have learned that Hispanics, regardless of heritage, absorb medicines in different ways, and that the effectiveness of medicine varies by the food you eat and even the time of day you take it. Thanks to progress in science, we have learned more about our genes and how unique each one of us is, and also how much we have in common. Most important of all, we learned that our genes are only part of the story about our health. The future of health is about personalized medicine so that each person gets the medicine and treatments that will provide the most benefit. To make this vision possible, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the All of Us Research Program, which is seeking to enroll 1 million or more people from across the United States to help speed up medical research. While the goal is impressive, just as important is that from the outset of the effort there has been a significant effort to include Hispanics. In the future, the healthcare you receive will include the right medicine at the right time for you. You can be a part of that future by volunteering for the All of Us Research Program at www.joinallofus.org/juntos or by calling 1-844-842-2855. The future of health truly belongs to all of us. Jane L. Delgado, Ph.D., M.S., President and CEO, Healthy Americas Foundation
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The 5 Numbers to Know if You Have Diabetes Although Hispanic/Latino Americans are at significant risk for developing diabetes and suffering from its devastating complications, those living with diabetes can thrive. The path to a longer, healthier life starts with knowing and managing some basic health numbers.
Eduardo Sanchez, M.D. Clinical Lead, Know Diabetes by Heart
My message for others living with diabetes is that we have control and choices,” said Lupe Barraza, who has type 2 diabetes and is a spokesperson for Know Diabetes by Heart, an initiative of the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. “Managing key health numbers can help you prevent complications from diabetes, like heart failure and kidney disease,” Barraza said. Paying attention to blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight are
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especially important for anyone living with diabetes, since having diabetes doubles your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, strokes, and heart failure. “You don’t have to wait until you get sick to go to the doctor. You, your doctor, and your family should work together now to keep you from getting sick,” Barraza said. The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association share five key numbers all people living with diabetes should measure regularly:
doctor’s office or at home using a BMI calculator.
should be checked at least every six months if you have diabetes.
2. Blood pressure Blood pressure is the force with which the blood pumps through your body when your heart beats and is a sign of heart health. A healthy blood pressure for most people is less than 120/80 (measured in millimeters of mercury of pressure), but your doctor may give you a different goal based on your diabetes. Blood pressure can be measured at home with a blood pressure monitor or in a doctor’s office.
4. Cholesterol Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the blood. High cholesterol levels can cause fatty deposits in blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol is usually measured by a fasting blood test in a doctor’s office.
1. BMI (body mass index) Your BMI is an estimate of body size based on height and weight that is used to help determine if you’re overweight or have obesity. A normal BMI usually ranges from 18.6 to 24.9 and can be calculated at a
3. A1C A1C is an indirect measure of your average blood glucose levels for the past two to three months. A healthy A1C for someone with diabetes is 7 percent or less. A1C is measured by a blood test and
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5. Kidney function Early detection of kidney disease is critically important. An often overlooked, simple test is the UACR (urine albumin to creatinine ratio), which can detect early signs of trouble. Kidney function is measured in a doctor’s office and should be done every year. n Visit www.KnowDiabetesbyHeart. org for more information.
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Publisher Chloe Addleson Business Developer Joelle Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Kayla Mendez Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Dustin Brennan Director of Content and Production Jordan Hernandez Cover Photo Randall Slavin All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve LA Times.
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YOUR CARE. YOUR WAY. YOU’RE WELCOME. Health care should be hassle-free. With connected quality care teams and flexible ways to access care, Kaiser Permanente makes it easier to get the support you need to stay healthy ¡cuándo y dónde lo necesites!
Why Latinx People Are at Greater Risk for Kidney Disease and Failure In the United States, 37 million adults have kidney disease, but 90 percent of these people don’t even know it.
In the early stages of kidney disease, most people don’t have symptoms. Therefore, everyone needs to know about this silent killer, but even more so if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease. What to do?
If you have any of these risk factors, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about getting two simple tests. First, you’ll need a urine test that checks for albumin; a type of protein in your urine. Having albumin in your urine may mean your kidneys and blood vessels are damaged. This can be an early sign of kidney disease. Next, you’ll need a blood test to estimate GFR, which stands for glomerular filtration rate. Your GFR number tells you how well your kidneys are working — think of GFR as a percentage of kidney function, with 60 or more as normal. In addition to these tests, Latinx people should get annual tests for diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. You need to know your health status regarding these diseases. The best way to avoid kidney disease is to live a healthy lifestyle. Eat a healthy diet, get physical activity, lose weight if needed, avoid smoking, and limit alcohol intake. A healthy lifestyle will help you avoid kidney disease, or at least slow or stop the disease from getting worse. Knowing you’re at risk is the first step toward living a healthier lifestyle, so take a simple, one-minute quiz available in English and Spanish at MinuteForYourKidneys.org.
Joseph Vassalotti, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, National Kidney Foundation
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How the Right Support System Can Help Prevent Chronic Illness Hispanics have always had health outcomes that surprised the experts. For example, Hispanics live longer than non-Hispanic whites and have lower death rates for heart disease than non-Hispanic whites and Blacks, according to the National Center for Health and Vital Statistics.
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ven with the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on Hispanics — losing three years of life expectancy — we still have longer lives than other groups. But to live a longer life is not sufficient if it is compromised by accompanying health conditions that are more common in Hispanics, like type 2 diabetes. This does not mean every Hispanic will develop these conditions, but it means that our risk is greater. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to delay onset or manage chronic disease.
Actionable steps When it comes to type 2 diabetes, we all know the basics about healthy eating, drinking, and activity. But to know a fact is not enough to benefit from it, as research recently published in the Annual Review of Psychology shows knowledge could be as little as 10 percent of what is needed to act. That is why recognizing the benefits of making change with others who provide support and expertise can help keep us on track. We need the support of family, friends, and community, and the expertise of health professionals we trust to
help us make healthy, long-term lifestyle changes. Knowing the importance of this support, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the National Diabetes Prevention Program; an evidence-based, 12-month lifestyle change program. In the program, people learn meaningful and healthy lifestyle strategies from trained coaches, increase physical activity, lose 5-7 percent of their body weight, and decrease their risk for type 2 diabetes. Working with the CDC, the National Alliance for Hispanic
Health delivers this program for Hispanics using the culturally proficient curriculum “Prevent T2 / Prevenga el T2.” You can learn about free support and resources in your community, including Prevent T2 / Prevenga el T2 classes, by calling the bilingual Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2645. Maintaining good health and well-being is in your hands, but you do not have to do it all alone. n
Paul Baker, Senior Director for Programs, National Alliance for Hispanic Health
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Diabetics at greater risk “Every day I talk directly to people about their real situation. While my focus is on diabetes, there is a correlation between diabetes and heart disease in many of the African American and Hispanic patients we encounter,” said Anna Norton, CEO of DiabetesSisters. There can also be a difference for women and men, Norton explained. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease for women with metabolic syndrome, which is indicated by large waist size, elevated blood pressure, glucose intolerance, low HDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides. All of these increase the chance of developing heart disease.
What You Need to Know About Heart Disease Risk Awareness
Small changes make a difference Dr. Forte suggests the following lifestyle changes to help manage risks of heart disease: • Keep your numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index) in the healthy range by incorporating more physical activity every day. • Cut back on salt intake to improve blood pressure. • Focus on eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, such as chicken or fish.
Even with the continuing concerns over COVID-19, heart disease remains the most common cause of death in the United States. Unfortunately, African American and Hispanic people remain at greater risk for heart disease, according to Kenton Forte, M.D., a cardiologist at Heart Beat Center of Western New York, in Buffalo, New York. Forte talked about the importance of heart disease risk awareness for African American and Hispanic people on a recent edition of the healthcare podcast True to Your Heart, available at bit.ly/TTYHPodcast.
Despite the availability of some helpful medications for African Americans, Forte notes that, “disease management
is less effective among African Americans, leading to higher mortality.” Growing health concerns As the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the country, Hispanics make up 18.5 percent of the total U.S. population. Unfortunately, heart disease is also the leading cause of death among Hispanics in the United States. Recent studies have shown that people with lower socioeconomic status are much more likely to develop heart disease than those who are wealthier or better educated. Hispanic communities in the United States had a poverty rate of 15.7 percent in 2019 and the highest rate of uninsurance, at nearly 17 percent.
These are important factors that negatively impact Hispanic health and access to adequate healthcare services. The good news is leading organizations, including the American Heart Association and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are prioritizing Hispanics in the nation’s heart health improvement goals. Managing heart disease risk “No medication used to treat heart disease is gender or race-specific,” Forte stresses, “but the future of heart disease treatments may be medication regimens that are tailored toward specific patient populations.” “The key to heart disease prevention is to focus on managing your risk
factors and knowing your numbers,” Forte added. “This means having regular check-ups with your physician so that you know your blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride level, blood sugar, and body mass index or BMI. By doing this, you can be aware of your risk factors and make an early intervention.” Talking to your physician about therapies for heart disease risk management is also key as misinformation is everywhere. According to a recent Harris Poll, commissioned by Amarin, Hispanic people and African Americans are more likely to take unproven dietary “supplements” including green tea, garlic, and fish oil/omega-3 dietary supplements to try to improve heart health.
• If heart disease runs in your family, see a primary care physician or preventive cardiologist in your 20s to discuss a healthy weight for you, to make sure your blood pressure levels are normal, and to plan for healthy eating and exercising. n Steven Ketchum, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, President, Research & Development, Chief Scientific Officer, Amarin Pharma, Inc.
Hear more from Dr. Forte and Ms. Norton, and other experts on heart disease on the True to Your Heart podcast, at bit.ly/TTYHPodcast
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If you have risk factors like heart disease or diabetes and raised triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL)
INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WHAT IS VASCEPA?
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF VASCEPA?
VASCEPA is a prescription medicine used:
VASCEPA may cause serious side effects, including:
• along with certain medicines (statins) to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and certain types of heart issues requiring hospitalization in adults with heart (cardiovascular) disease, or diabetes and 2 or more additional risk factors for heart disease. • along with a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet to lower high levels of triglycerides (fats) in adults. It is not known if VASCEPA changes your risk of having inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). It is not known if VASCEPA is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE VASCEPA? • Do not take VASCEPA if you are allergic to icosapent ethyl or any of the ingredients in VASCEPA. VASCEPA, Amarin, and Vascepa/Amarin logos are registered trademarks of the Amarin group of companies. © 2021 Amarin Pharma, Inc. Bridgewater, NJ 08807 All rights reserved. VAS-02824v2 07/21
• Heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter). Heart rhythm problems which can be serious and cause hospitalization have happened in people who take VASCEPA, especially in people who have heart (cardiovascular) disease or diabetes with a risk factor for heart (cardiovascular) disease, or who have had heart rhythm problems in the past. Tell your doctor if you get any symptoms of heart rhythm problems such as feeling as if your heart is beating fast and irregular, lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort or you faint. • Possible allergic reactions if you are allergic to fish or shellfish. Stop taking VASCEPA and tell your doctor right away or get emergency medical help if you have any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction. • Bleeding. Serious bleeding can happen in people who take VASCEPA. Your risk of bleeding may increase if you are also taking a blood thinner medicine.
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Taking statins, exercising, and eating right can lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke, but not as much as you may think. Prescription VASCEPA can also reduce your risk. VASCEPA is clinically proven to offer 25% less risk from heart attack and stroke when added to a statin.
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WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF VASCEPA? (cont.) If you have liver problems and are taking VASCEPA, your doctor should do blood tests during treatment.
$9 for a 90-day supply.† Subject to availability. Restrictions apply. VASCEPA is covered without restriction for the majority of patients.
The most common side effects of VASCEPA include: • Muscle and joint pain • Swelling of the hands, legs, or feet • Constipation • Gout • Heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation) These are not all the possible side effects of VASCEPA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report adverse events (i.e. side effects) or product complaints by contacting AmarinConnect at 1-855-VASCEPA (1-855-827-2372), emailing AmarinConnect@Amarincorp.com, or calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Tell your doctor if you take medicines that affect your blood clotting (anticoagulants or blood thinners). Please see next page for Patient Information or call 1-855-VASCEPA (1-855-827-2372).
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PATIENT INFORMATION VASCEPA® (pronounced vas-EE-puh) (icosapent ethyl) capsules What is VASCEPA? VASCEPA is a prescription medicine used along with certain medicines (statins) to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and certain types of heart issues requiring hospitalization in adults with heart (cardiovascular) disease, or diabetes and 2 or more additional risk factors for heart disease. It’s also used along with a low-fat and lowcholesterol diet to lower high levels of triglycerides (fats) in adults. It is not known if VASCEPA changes your risk of having inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). It is not known if VASCEPA is safe and effective in children. Do not take VASCEPA if you are allergic to icosapent ethyl or any of the ingredients in VASCEPA. See the end of this summary for a complete list of ingredients in VASCEPA. Before taking VASCEPA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • have diabetes. • have a low thyroid problem (hypothyroidism). • have a liver problem. • have a pancreas problem. • are allergic to fish or shellfish. It is not known if people who are allergic to fish or shellfish are also allergic to VASCEPA. • are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if VASCEPA will harm your unborn baby. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. VASCEPA can pass into your breast milk, and may harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take VASCEPA. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements. VASCEPA can interact with certain other medicines that you are taking. Especially tell your doctor if you take medicines that affect your blood clotting (anticoagulants or blood thinners). How should I take VASCEPA? • Take VASCEPA exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. • Do not change your dose or stop taking VASCEPA without talking to your doctor. • Do not take more capsules than what is prescribed by your doctor. - If you are prescribed the 0.5 gram capsules, you should not take more than 8 capsules each day with food. - If you are prescribed the 1 gram capsules, you should not take more than 4 capsules each day with food. • Take VASCEPA capsules whole. Do not break, crush, dissolve, or chew VASCEPA capsules before swallowing. • If you miss a dose of VASCEPA, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you miss one day of VASCEPA, do not double your dose when you take it. • Your doctor may start you on a diet that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and low in added sugars before giving you VASCEPA. Stay on this diet while taking VASCEPA. • Your doctor may do blood tests to check your triglyceride and other lipid levels while you take VASCEPA.
What are the possible side effects of VASCEPA? VASCEPA may cause serious side effects, including: • Heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter). Heart rhythm problems which can be serious and cause hospitalization have happened in people who take VASCEPA, especially in people who have heart (cardiovascular) disease or diabetes with a risk factor for heart (cardiovascular) disease, or who have had heart rhythm problems in the past. Tell your doctor if you get any symptoms of heart rhythm problems such as feeling as if your heart is beating fast and irregular, lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or you faint. • Possible allergic reactions if you are allergic to fish or shellfish. Stop taking VASCEPA and tell your doctor right away or get emergency medical help if you have any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction. • Bleeding. Serious bleeding can happen in people who take VASCEPA. Your risk of bleeding may increase if you are also taking a blood thinner medicine. If you have liver problems and are taking VASCEPA, your doctor should do blood tests during treatment. The most common side effects of VASCEPA include: muscle and joint pain; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; constipation; gout; and heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation). These are not all the possible side effects of VASCEPA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. How should I store VASCEPA? • Store VASCEPA at room temperature between 68° to 77° F (20° to 25° C). • Safely throw away medicine that is out of date or no longer needed. Keep VASCEPA and all medicine out of the reach of children. General information about the safe and effective use of VASCEPA. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use VASCEPA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VASCEPA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about VASCEPA that is written for health professionals. What are the ingredients in VASCEPA? Active ingredient: icosapent ethyl Inactive ingredients: tocopherol, gelatin, glycerin, maltitol, sorbitol, and purified water VASCEPA is a registered trademark of the Amarin group of companies. ©2019 Amarin Pharma, Inc. Bridgewater NJ, 08807. All rights reserved. PP00120M Revised: 12/2019 Distributed by: Amarin Pharma, Inc. Bridgewater, NJ, USA Manufactured for: Amarin Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited Dublin, Ireland +1-855-VASCEPA (+1-855-827-2372) www.vascepa.com For more information, go to www.vascepa.com or call 1-855-VASCEPA (1-855-827-2372). This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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How a Latina With Diabetes Is Changing Her Family’s Story
PHOTO: AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION/AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
How a Manufacturing Company Made a Critical Pivot During the Pandemic
Lupe Barraza was always the friend you wished you had, and the mother and daughter who would do anything for her family. So it was something of a shock when she began pulling away from those close to her and her healthy lifestyle.
fter having four kids, Barraza’s 18-year marriage to her high school sweetheart dissolved. She lost herself in the divorce and found solace in a childhood friend. They married and had two more children. The new relationship, however, became unstable at best and dangerous at worst. Her new husband was both verbally and physically abusive from the beginning. He struggled with substance abuse and had trouble holding down a job. Always trying to keep the peace, Barraza stopped running, neglected her diet, gained almost 80 pounds, and developed type 2 diabetes. When she ate healthy foods, he mocked her and tried to make her feel guilty. Barraza asked her husband to leave on more than one occasion, but he refused. One weekend, he physically attacked her in front of their two small children so badly that she went to the
you grow up, you develop type 2 diabetes, have life-altering complications, and then pass away from them. As an adult living with diabetes herself, she knew by managing her condition she could prevent these devastating complications and change her family’s story. The wake-up call As a mom with Life took another When I choose young kids still at dark turn when to take care of home watching her mother had me, everything her, depending on a stroke and her, she knew she her father had else falls had to change her a heart attack into place. family’s story. a few months U l t i m a te l y, later. Doctors Barraza filed for attributed both divorce. On her medical events own with her children for the to their type 2 diabetes. In fact, first time and determined to get several of her father’s 13 siblings healthy, Barraza worked with had battled diabetes and suffered a doctor who got to know her amputations, strokes, heart disand helped her formulate a plan ease, or chronic kidney disease as that appealed to her likes, her a result. cultural values, and her goalAs a child, Barraza thought that’s oriented personality. how it went for her family: When hospital and he went to jail. It was about that time when her hands and feet began tingling, often painfully enough to wake her up in the middle of the night — a result of nerve damage from high blood sugar. It hurt so bad she couldn’t squeeze her hands.
Putting herself first Barraza didn’t just lose some weight — she lost 60 pounds and cut her A1C in half, all during a global pandemic. “Getting healthy isn’t always as simple as eating better or exercising more,” Barraza said. “Oftentimes, we have to take a step back and ask ourselves what’s keeping us sick.” As a national ambassador for the American Heart Association’s and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes by Heart initiative, she is a role model and champion for others — particularly Latinas like herself — sharing her message that they, too, can put themselves first, and their families and communities will be better for it, not worse. “When I choose to take care of me, everything else falls into place,” she said. n
Jayme Sandberg, Know Diabetes by Heart
Bona Fides Masks Corp., part of the Ball Chain Manufacturing family of companies, was formed in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to address the shortage of PPE for hospitals and frontline workers. Ball Chain Manufacturing president Bill Taubner explains how he was able to pivot his business to meet this critical need.
How did you decide to get into the mask-making business? It was a Friday evening in the height of the pandemic when my phone rang. A local community leader had called to explain the critical shortage of protective equipment and ask for my family’s help. My first instinct was to say “no.” I couldn’t imagine how we would begin this endeavor. Then I thought back on our company’s history. During World War II, Ball Chain had shifted production to manufacture tooling for the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane during the war effort. This pandemic was yet another opportunity for us to help address a critical need. By leveraging our well-established international supply chain, we pivoted to provide trusted and authentic products to customers in a confusing marketplace. Given the rise of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates in certain parts of the country, is there anything you want our readers to know? We are steadfast in our commitment to remain the most trusted supplier of genuine masks and related products. Our dedicated New York warehouse team works hard to respond to the demand for masks, ensuring that we ship as quickly as possible. We will continue to grow and maintain our relationships with Powecom and Harley to eliminate confusion in the marketplace. With back-to-school and vaccination limitations for K-8 students, we have expanded our product offerings to include masks for children, such as our new KN95-SM. About 15 percent smaller than Powecom’s standard KN95, the KN95-SM offers the same high level of filtration standards as adult masks. We hope everyone stays safe, and we will continue to do our part to serve our customers. This article has been paid for by Bona Fide Mask Corp.
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How Pitbull Is Helping the Latinx Community in Miami and Beyond
Grammy-winning superstar Pitbull (aka Armando Pérez) is more than just an international music icon — he’s also a major advocate for Latin culture, health, fitness, and education. Ahead of his massive “I Feel Good” tour with Iggy Azalea, which kicks off Aug. 20, Pitbull talked about his advocacy work and what it means to be a Latin role model. What does it mean to you to be a strong role model for the Latinx community? It has been inspiring to see the Latinx community take a stand on the world stage. Being a strong role model for the community is something I think about every day. We need to continue to inspire and teach the community that it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve success; that everything is possible. Especially now, with Latin culture and music crossing over into the mainstream markets, we need to be proud of our heritage and use these platforms to give back to our communities. When we opened SLAM! (Sports, Leadership, Arts and Management), a public charter school in the heart of Little Havana, my goal of being the ambassador for SLAM! was not only to be a role model, but to also open the doors for opportunities that were not afforded to me as a kid. It’s a key lesson to teach students the importance of giving back to your community and roots.
PHOTO: RANDALL SLAVIN
Can you talk about the relationship between music and fitness? How can we use this correlation to help others live healthier lifestyles?
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Music and fitness go hand in hand. They both make people feel good, and great music makes a better workout. There have been studies about how music not only elevates your mind, but it also motivates you to work out harder. Great healthcare may not always be available, so it’s important that
we do what we can on our own to motivate ourselves to stay healthy both physically and mentally. Our new song “I Feel Good” is about energy motivation and how music is the universal language. The last year and a half has been hard, and I hope we can continue to uplift communities through the message of music. You are more than an international star; you are an advocate for many charities and initiatives surrounding access to health and education. Can you tell us a bit more about your work and what inspired you to become an advocate for others? Education is my legacy. In addition to SLAM! in Miami, we have opened 11 SLAM! schools across the nation. Health has also become an important initiative to me, as everyone should have access to the best health and education. From my firsthand experience, I felt it was fundamental that I find a way to help kids who were in my position. Growing up in Miami was a struggle, and I hope I can continue to use my platform to assist those in need. We are one race, the human race, and it’s important that we always do what we can to help others. In January, you became the co-owner of NASCAR’s Trackhouse Racing Team, and served as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Daytona 500. Can you tell us a little bit more about this? It’s been a true honor to become a NASCAR team owner with team Trackhouse. It’s history in the making — in such a short period of time we’ve been able to make a difference in the NASCAR culture and community. It was a proud moment to serve as the Grand Marshal of one the most popular races in our country. It made me feel proud I can represent my roots in such a way, and as one of the first alongside Trackhouse racer Daniel Suárez. n
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How Lele Pons Embraces Her Venezuelan Roots
You truly are a Latina star who has taken over the digital world. Did you always want to pursue a career in entertainment? Yes, I always wanted to be in the entertainment business. Whether it was acting, singing, or directing movies. I’m a fan of the business. I would love to add more traditional acting or directing in movies in my career. I love filmmaking. As a Venezuelan-American who moved to Miami at a young age, do
you find yourself connecting with your Venezuelan identity often? Are there cultural elements and traditions from your heritage that play a role in your life? I connect with my Venezuelan heritage thanks to my parents. My family is very proud, as am I, of our country. They tell me stories, educate me, and we continue to practice Venezuelan traditions. For example, the food (hallacas: a traditional Christmas food that goes back to the colonies), music, and
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After growing her fame on the video sharing app Vine, Lele Pons now hosts “La Voz México,” has her own docuseries called “The Secret Life of Lele Pons,” and successfully launched her music career. We asked her about her ascent in the world of entertainment and what it means to be a role model for Latinx people.
the TV series called telenovelas that I’m obsessed with since I watched them with my grandma ever since I was young. Also through music like salsa, and from artists like Carlos Vives and Shakira.
up on the bad days and be optimistic that there will be better ones. What does Hispanic heritage mean to you?
As a powerful figure for so many, what does it personally mean to you to be a strong Latina?
To me, Hispanic heritage means celebrating all Hispanics outside of their countries. Hispanic heritage is about family, faith, pride, and love.
Being a strong Latina to me means to represent and be a good example for future generations. It means to not give
You’ve been very open about living with dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, Tourette’s syndrome,
and mental health struggles. Why is it important to address these issues in the Hispanic community? Sharing your stories with those who are too afraid to have open conversations about mental health is crucial. Teaching them about my experience and how I deal with my mental health, and speaking out about it publicly is a way that I can help. That way people don’t feel alone and you can encourage them to receive help. It’s not something to be ashamed about. n
MEDIAPLANET
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