Early exposure to clear and culturally relevant information on cardiovascular health, obesity, mental illness, cancer and cholesterol isn't just important to the Latino community.

It's a matter of life or death.

Addressing preventable diseases early on can undermine predispositions and risk factors, and it can disempower blockades that stand between Latinos and ideal health.

To that end, Telemundo and NBC Universo have collaborated to create a year-round platform aimed towards delivering extended resources and educating the public via expert info on wellness and pressing health concerns. Prevenir Es Vivir (Prevention Is Life) is a 365-day approach to health wellness, and the program looks to embolden the Latino community by acting as a health champion, speaking on important matters in health, sharing personal stories of overcoming struggles, and being that tranquil voice that offers the latest health information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States spends 86 percent of its health care dollars on the treatment of preventable, chronic diseases. When left untreated, these diseases result in life long disabilities, burdening healthcare costs, and lowered quality of life. However, prevention is cheaper and easier, and that same money could be spent on terminal illnesses, mental disorders and debilitating disabilities.

The Prevenir Es Vivir initiative will include PSAs, Telemundo health segments and quarterly health specials, titled "Enfoque." There will be a weekly on-air session, "Un Nuevo Día," as well as "Al Rojo Vivo" and "Noticiero Telemundo." Celebrity health gurus and hosts María Celeste Arrarás, Dra. Ana María Polo, Raúl Gonzalez, Karin Mendiburu and Leti Coo will appear on segments addressing health care, cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, sports and exercise from an insider and expert point of view. Also, Prevenir Es Vivir partnered with health associations like AARP, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association to make sure the most accurate and competent information is shared on the platform.

"Our partners in this program are really the health experts, they have programs and research that looks at some of the differences and barriers. [And] our role is to be that trusted voice and an ambassador, and to take information, tools and resources, and really expand that reach," Raquel Egusquiza, the vice president of Community Affairs, Hispanic Enterprises & Content at NBCUniversal, shared with Latin Post. "Language, often, is a barrier when it comes to health, so the fact that we have this information available in English and in Spanish is important. We're really ensuring through our talent, through the resources and through use of Telemundo and NBC Universo, that we're making information available in both languages. That's one key barrier we will be addressing."

The new program focuses on leveraging reach and influence to sink barriers, and it offers up a plethora of insights, assessment exams, questions to ask the doctor, science news, healthy living advice, valuable wellness information and recipes.

"So, whether it's health care, locations where people can go to get information or health screenings, news segments, or our talent ... our robust digital site aggregates the best information that's out there and puts it in one place for our viewers," said Egusquiza. "We're really trying to leverage the reach of Telemundo, NBC Latino and NBC Universo in order to really educate the community. We're saying, 'Yep, that small step can heed good results.' It can empower Latinos to live healthier lives."

Prevenir Es Vivir will additionally appear at health fairs, offering product samples, demonstrations, health screenings, seminars and celebrity appearances to complement its digital presence. Online health brands will share video content, health tips and info on local health fairs. In addition, an external advisory council will communicate with leaders in public and non-profit organizations to gather details that will meet the evolving needs of the Latino family, patients and caregivers.

"We're looking at everything from healthy recipes to portion control ... because it's not just about diet, as much as it's about changing your lifestyle. Diets begin and end, but when you change your lifestyle, you change the way you live. And there are a lot of small things you can do to make a big impact, even if it's just visiting a doctor, because a large part of the population doesn't attend regular doctor visits," said Egusquiza. "On the website, we have a checklist with questions you should ask your doctor. We want to make sure the community is informed and looking at things they need to take into consideration from a prevention perspective. So we want to make sure that content is available ... and we're helping to bring that information, those tools, those resources to the Hispanic community in English and in Spanish."

New information will be introduced to the platform on a regular basis as the program-runners update with weekly news segments and expand to new areas including caregiving. Their editorial calendar will aggregate key material and resources into one place.

"We'd love the community to visit the site, in English and in Spanish, and really utilize the tools. And make sure that each person visiting the site also becomes an ambassador, and spread the word to family and to friends. Together, we can make sure that information has broader reach. It can make a big difference in our own lives, and in our families' lives," said Egusquiza.

The Prevention Institute also offers valuable information on prevention.

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