Chef LaLa Joins Merck To Kick Off A Food & Health Tour In California Aimed To Help EDUCA

Merck today announced the launch of a food and health tour in Southern California with award-winning celebrity chef and certified nutritionist, Chef LaLa, to educate Hispanics about type 2 diabetes and to encourage them to make healthy lifestyle changes. Sazone Su Salud (Season Your Health), is a program that showcases simple, healthy recipes to help Hispanics lead a diabetes-friendly lifestyle. Paired with a healthcare provider, Chef LaLa will engage in live cooking demonstrations in three California communities – Bakersfield, Los Angeles and Orange County. The first event launches today in Bakersfield and will be held at Albertsons grocery store.

“As a Hispanic woman, chef and nutritionist, it’s important for me to help my community understand that we can enjoy our traditional cuisine and still eat healthy,” said Chef LaLa. “I’m excited to be a part of Sazone Su Salud to help educate Hispanics about easier ways to prepare healthy meals as one way to help manage their type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects the Hispanic community in the U.S. Nearly one out of five Hispanic adults over the age of 50 reported having type 2 diabetes, which is among the highest prevalence for all racial/ethnic groups. In Los Angeles, Kern and Orange Counties more than 4.4% to 13.5% of Latino adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. Among U.S. regions with the highest Hispanic populations, California has the highest rate of type 2 diabetes among younger Hispanics aged 18 to 44 years (3.2% versus 1.3% for non-Hispanic whites in that age group).

“Through Sazone Su Salud and Chef LaLa, we hope to educate Hispanics about the serious health risks associated with type 2 diabetes and to raise awareness of diet steps they can make to help manage this complex disease,” said Stephen Clement, M.D., C.D.E., director, Medical Affairs for Diabetes, U.S., Merck. “We are excited to reach out to Hispanics and to encourage them to talk to their doctors about type 2 diabetes – whether they are already diagnosed with diabetes or are at risk.”

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Celebrity Chef Lala Joins Merck To Kick Off A Food And Health Tour In California Aimed To Help EDUCA