AARP Debuts One-Hour Spanish-Language TV Special on Healthcare Targeting the Hispanic Community

Broadcast by Telemundo, AARP's "Condicion Critica with Dr. Elmer Huerta" Airs May 8th

WASHINGTON, May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP today announced it will debut its first-ever Spanish-language TV special targeting Hispanics 50+ on Saturday, May 8, 2010.  Tackling the disparities in both health status and healthcare within the Hispanic community, the one-hour program presented by AARP VIVA, Condicion Critica con el Dr. Elmer Huerta, (Critical Condition with Dr. Elmer Huerta) is divided into six segments and will highlight stories told by real patients who share their experiences struggling with illness and available healthcare, while Dr. Huerta offers his expertise on prevention. The program is being broadcast in 14 major markets by Telemundo including New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Miami, Dallas and Puerto Rico.

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"As part of our ongoing effort to encourage Hispanics 50+ to live their best lives, Condicion Critica will offer valuable information to viewers about the health related issues and opportunities that the Hispanic community faces every day," said Kevin Donnellan, EVP and Chief Communications Officer, AARP.  "Dr. Huerta serves as a credible voice to the Hispanic community and we're proud to work with him and Telemundo to deliver this critical information to the Spanish-speaking audience."

Hosted by renowned prevention specialist, Dr. Elmer Huerta, Condicion Critica features people living with health problems or struggling to pay for their medications or medical bills, but who have found a way to get the care they need. Such is the story of Virginia Garcia, an inspiring cancer survivor who lost her job at the time of diagnosis and by successfully advocating for herself, found alternative forms of co-pay assistance for her treatments. The show will also feature other positive examples of people and organizations helping to serve those in need in the Hispanic community.

In addition to Dr. Huerta's health and prevention expertise, the show features insight from other nationally recognized experts, including Maria Rosa from NCLR, Yanira Cruz from the National Hispanic Council on Aging, Ciro Sumaya from the National Hispanic Medical Association, Eduardo Sanchez from the Partnership for Prevention and public health specialist Dr. Annette Ramirez.

AARP's Condicion Critica will air Saturday, May 8, 2010 on Telemundo at 10 a.m. EST/PT, 9 a.m. Central and 4 p.m. in Puerto Rico. AARP's Condicion Critica will air in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Chicago, New York, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. Additional information is available online at www.aarp.org/viva.  

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SOURCE AARP