Heartburn/Acid Reflux Disease @ Terra.com.

Hispanics now have a new Spanish-language resource on the net to find information on Heartburn/Acid Reflux Disease at http://www.terra.com/salud/especiales/acidez/. Medically known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), the illness is said to affect 20 percent of the adult population in the U.S. including Hispanics. With more and more Hispanics turning to the Internet to find health-related information, the site offers culturally-relevant editorial content provided by medical specialists outlining common symptom information, facts on the disease and treatment solutions.

AstraZeneca, the makers of NEXIUM (esomeprazole magnesium), support the GERD center on Terra’s Salud Channel in hopes of creating awareness and dispelling misconceptions among Hispanics. For years Hispanics who suffer from GERD felt the only solution was to give up their favorite dishes that often include a variety of spices; however, the site offers information about other causes of symptoms commonly thought to be signs of GERD. In fact, Hispanics have a higher incidence of suffering from H. pylori a bacterium that wreaks havoc on the stomach, causing ulcers.

“Terra.com helped us create the Hispanic GERD Center from the ground up using their expertise and knowledge of the Hispanic audience,” said Jeff Liang, Media Supervisor of Avenue A/Razorfish East. “Building the center with a greater understanding of cultural sensitivities and differences enabled us to provide an innovative, yet educational forum to reach the important fast-growing Hispanic online audience.”

“Acid reflux disease information needs to be readily available to anyone wishing to obtain it, and NEXIUM is pleased to support the availability of that valuable information online,” says Jean Pundiak, Senior ePromotions Manager for NEXIUM. “We are thrilled to break new ground with the Hispanic audience and support online GERD content in an exclusive partnership with Terra.com.”

Nearly 10 million Hispanic Adults (18+ years) search the Internet for health information. Internal research reveals that 70 percent of Terra’s Salud Channel audience uses the Internet to search for medicines or medical information and an overwhelming 86 percent said they would ask their doctors about medical information they have learned about or seen on the Internet. Twenty percent of Terra.com users look for Ulcer and/or Gastritis information online. “Terra.com was tapped to build out the site and carry the campaign because we understand the nuances involved in addressing Latinos and the importance of providing information that is relevant to them,” said Michele Azan, Vice President of Sales at Terra.com

“The user traffic on our Health channel is proof that Spanish-language Internet is a highly effective medium to reach Latinos seeking health information in Spanish and AstraZeneca recognizes the value of that audience.”

A study recently revealed that U.S. Hispanics represent one of the few remaining growth opportunities online for health and pharmaceutical companies. In fact, the number of Hispanics using the Internet for health and drug information is expected to increase over the next few years. “Launching this site comes at a time when researchers are saying that healthcare companies have failed to grasp the reality of the Hispanic market with culturally relevant, Spanish-language targeted information online,” said Pundiak. “This online initiative with Terra.com puts us at the forefront of our industry.”