If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, for example, you probably know that keeping cholesterol at a healthy level can help you lower your chances of a heart attack or stroke. But how much do you know about your treatment options, including what side effects medications may cause and how to determine the best option for you? If you don’t get the best possible information about all your treatment choices, you might not make an informed decision on which treatment is most appropriate for you. All of this couldn’t be truer for Hispanics who have to navigate a complex healthcare system in another language.

This is where a new campaign, “Toma las riendas” (“Take the reins”), comes in. Sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Toma las riendas campaign promotes factual, unbiased treatment information to help Spanish-speaking Hispanic patients and doctors work together to make informed healthcare decisions. To order printed copies, for free, e-mail ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov or call (800) 358-9295. AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of healthcare for all Americans.